Reverse taxonomy: an approach towards determining the diversity of meiobenthic organisms based on ribosomal RNA signature sequences

摘要: Organisms living in or on the sediment layer of water bodies constitute benthos fauna, which is known to harbour a large number species diverse taxonomic groups. The plays significant role nutrient cycle and it is, therefore, high ecological relevance. Here, we have explored DNA-taxonomic approach access meiobenthic organismic diversity, by focusing obtaining signature sequences from part ribosomal subunit rRNA (28S), D3–D5 region. To obtain broad representation taxa, samples were taken 12 lakes Germany, representing different conditions. In first approach, extracted whole DNA these samples, amplified respective fragment PCR, cloned fragments sequenced individual clones. However, found relatively recombinant clones that must be considered PCR artefacts. second have, directly obtained extracts randomly picked organisms. total, 264 new unique sequences, can readily placed into taxon groups, based phylogenetic comparison with currently available database sequences. group highest abundance nematodes protozoa, followed chironomids. find also far not exhausted diversity organisms samples. Still, our data provide framework within meiobenthos sequence constructed, will allow develop necessary techniques for studying context analysis. Since many taxa analysis are initially only identified via their but yet morphology, propose call this ‘reverse taxonomy’.