SPECIMEN PROCESSING

Mass-trapped arthropods can be processed directly or pre-sorted by size or taxon. In all cases the SITE100 protocol aims to preserve the specimens slated for DNA extraction as much as possible, either by non-destructive DNA extraction or by imaging the specimens prior to processing. We prefer a photographic record wherever possible. The procedure involves the following steps:

1. All specimens are photographed individually or in bulk (<50 specimens per image), possibly after size sorting and taxonomic sorting (e.g. by order).
2. Specimens are selected for individual DNA extraction, building a reference set. Ideally, one representative of each (morphological) species encountered at an Observatory is chosen, to build a reference library.
3. Photographs of each specimen are maintained in a corresponding photo library, either from an individual image or taken from ensemble images with the Inselect software.
4. Individual specimen DNA are used for shotgun sequencing or DNA barcoding; the remaining bulk is subjected to mixed shotgun sequencing or metabarcoding.