Innovative integration of high-throughput DNA barcoding, transcriptome-based constrained phylogenetics, hyperspectral imaging, and morphology to assess and characterize a poorly known fauna

我们提出了一个新的模式，物种描述整合形态学和分子方法。非洲是一个理想的试验场，因为在任何重要的收藏中，都可能有数百种未描述的物种。我们将生成所有非洲石蛾家族的转录组，然后使用高通量测序技术对来自非洲热带地区（埃塞俄比亚的贝尔山，刚果的艾伯丁裂谷和刚果盆地以及贝宁）的先前和新收集的毛翅目群落的数百种形态种（mtCOI，28 S rRNA）的两个基因进行测序。我们将使用一个保守的DNA分类方法划定的单系的rRNA+mtDNA分支的基础上的物种，并比较这与现代的聚结为基础的多位点的物种界定，以帮助开发一个基线分类的石蛾在非洲。我们还将使用高光谱成像作为一个额外的，独立的字符集，以帮助划定困难的物种复合体。为了将新发现和重新发现的石蛾多样性放在物种水平的生命树上，我们将使用转录组序列来建立一个骨干基因组，然后我们可以从我们的两个基因中填写一个物种水平的基因组。这种完全解析的、物种丰富的、多基因的遗传学将使我们能够对目前科学上新发现的数百个分类群进行快速、准确的诊断。这些新物种将与分类学专家网络合作，用诊断示意图加以说明和描述。该项目将是一个例子，合并的速度和效率的DNA分类与时间考验形态概念的物种描述。

We propose a new paradigm of species descriptions integrating morphological and molecular methods. Africa is an ideal testing ground, because there are likely to be hundreds of undescribed species available in any significant collection. We will generate transcriptomes for all African caddisfly families, and then sequence two genes for hundreds of morphospecies (mtCOI, 28S rRNA) from previously and newly collected Trichoptera communities of Afrotropical regions (Bale Mts in Ethiopia, Albertine Rift and Congo Basin in DR Congo, and Benin) using high-thoughput sequencing technologies. We will use a conservative DNA taxonomy approach for delimiting species based on monophyly of rRNA+mtDNA clades and compare this with modern coalescent-based multi-locus species delimitations to help develop a baseline taxonomy of caddisflies in Africa. We will also use hyperspectral imaging as an additional, independent character set to help delimit difficult species complexes. To place the newly identified and rediscovered diversity of caddisflies on a species-level tree of life, we will use transcriptome sequences to build a backbone phylogeny, upon which we can then fill out a species-level phylogeny from our two genes. This fully resolved, species rich, multi-gene phylogeny will allow us to make rapid, accurate diagnoses for hundreds of taxa currently new to science. These new species will be illustrated with diagnostic schematics and described in collaboration with a network of taxonomic experts. The project will be an example of merging the speed and efficiency of DNA taxonomy with time tested morphological concepts of species description.