MetaZooGene Intercalibration Experiment ( MZG ‐ ICE ): Metabarcoding Marine Zooplankton Diversity of the Global Ocean
Molecular Ecology Resources, vol. 26, pp. e70090
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding of zooplankton biodiversity is used increasingly for monitoring global ocean ecosystems, requiring comparable data from different research laboratories and ocean regions. The MetaZooGene Intercalibration Experiment (MZG-ICE) was designed to examine1 and analyse patterns of variation of DNA sequence data resulting from multi-gene metabarcoding of 10 zooplankton samples carried out by 10 research groups affiliated with the Scientific Committee for Ocean Research (SCOR). Aliquots of DNA extracted from the 10 zooplankton samples were distributed to MZG-ICE groups for metabarcoding of four gene regions: V1-V2, V4 and V9 of nuclear 18S rRNA and mitochondrial COI. Molecular protocols and procedures were recommended; substitutions were allowed as necessary. Resulting data were uploaded to a common repository for centralised statistics and bioinformatics. Based on proportional sequence numbers for abundant phyla, overall patterns of variation were consistent across many-but not all-MZG-ICE groups. V9 showed highest similarity, followed (in order) by V4, V1-V2, and COI. Outlier data were hypothesised to result from the use of different PCR protocols and sequencing platforms, and possible contamination. MZG-ICE results indicated that DNA metabarcoding data from different laboratories and research groups can provide reliable, accurate and valid descriptions of biodiversity of zooplankton throughout the ocean. Recommendations included: pre-screening QA/QC of raw data, detailed records for laboratory protocols, reagents, and instrumentation, and centralised bioinformatics and multivariate statistics. In the absence of universal agreement on standardised protocols or best practices, intercalibration is the best way forward toward validation of DNA metabarcoding of zooplankton diversity for global ocean monitoring.
Authors 22
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Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences · Arizona State University
Affiliation as printed
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Arizona State University St. Georges Bermuda
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University of Alaska Fairbanks
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Marine Science University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska USA
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Marine Sciences University of Connecticut – Avery Point Groton Connecticut USA
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University of Concepción · Millennium Institute of Oceanography
Affiliation as printed
Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía Universidad de Concepción Concepción Chile
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Norwegian Institute of Marine Research
Affiliation as printed
Flødevigen Research Station Institute of Marine Research Arendal Norway
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Affiliation as printed
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute The University of Tokyo Chiba Japan
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Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Affiliation as printed
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Oceans and Coastal Research Cape Town South Africa
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Affiliation as printed
Senckenberg Am Meer, DZMB Wilhelmshaven Niedersachsen Germany
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center · University of Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) University of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology University of Gdańsk Gdynia Poland
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Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden the Netherlands
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Norwegian Institute of Marine Research
Affiliation as printed
Flødevigen Research Station Institute of Marine Research Arendal Norway
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University of Concepción · Millennium Institute of Oceanography
Affiliation as printed
Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía Universidad de Concepción Concepción Chile
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Affiliation as printed
Oceanographic Research Institute Durban KwaZulu‐Natal South Africa
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Affiliation as printed
Senckenberg Am Meer, DZMB Wilhelmshaven Niedersachsen Germany
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Australian Antarctic Division · Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Affiliation as printed
Australian Antarctic Division Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Kingston Tasmania Australia
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Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Biology, Department of Evolutionary Genetics and Biosystematics University of Gdańsk Gdańsk Poland
Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology University of Gdańsk Gdynia Poland
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Australian Antarctic Division · Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Affiliation as printed
Australian Antarctic Division Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Kingston Tasmania Australia
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Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences · Arizona State University
Affiliation as printed
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Arizona State University St. Georges Bermuda
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NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Affiliation as printed
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Silver Spring Maryland USA
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Ann Bucklin corresponding
Affiliation as printed
Department of Marine Sciences University of Connecticut – Avery Point Groton Connecticut USA
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