Comparison of destructive and non-destructive DNA extraction methods for
the metabarcoding of arthropod bulk samples
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding is routinely used for biodiversity assessment,
especially targeting highly diverse groups for which limited taxonomic
expertise is available. Various protocols are currently in use, although
standardization is key to its application in large-scale monitoring. DNA
metabarcoding of arthropod bulk samples can be either conducted
destructively from sample tissue, or non-destructively from sample
fixative or lysis buffer. Non-destructive methods are highly desirable
for the preservation of sample integrity but have yet to be
experimentally evaluated in detail. Here, we compare diversity estimates
from 14 size sorted Malaise trap samples processed consecutively with
three non-destructive approaches (one using fixative ethanol and two
using lysis buffers) and one destructive approach (using homogenized
tissue). Extraction from commercial lysis buffer yielded comparable
species richness and high overlap in species composition to the ground
tissue extracts. A significantly divergent community was detected from
preservative ethanol-based DNA extraction. No consistent trend in
species richness was found with increasing incubation time in lysis
buffer. These results indicate that non-destructive DNA extraction from
incubation in lysis buffer could provide a comparable alternative to
destructive approaches with the added advantage of preserving the
specimens for post-metabarcoding taxonomic work.