Accelerating the Molecular/Morphological Bioinventory of Meiofauna: Marine Nematodes of Mexico's Threatened Gulf of California

翻译后摘要：DEB-0315829 A补助金已被授予博士詹姆斯G。鲍德温和加州大学河滨分校的保罗·德·莱伊博士以及威廉·K。新罕布什尔州大学的托马斯合作进行海洋线虫的系统调查。 该清单将包括并保存形态记录，通过数据库与选定的DNA序列相联系，以突出每种线虫的独特特征。 研究地点是墨西哥受到生态威胁的加州湾，具体而言，工作将集中在墨西哥和国际机构指定为生物多样性研究紧急优先事项的五个不同的海湾地区。 将特别重视生态丰富的北方地区，该地区受到科罗拉多河淡水分流和农业径流的不利影响。 为什么要关注线虫？ 线虫是地球上最丰富的无脊椎动物，但大多数物种，特别是亚热带和热带海洋物种，仍未被发现和命名。 通过在这一独特区域建立线虫物种清单，将对地球的生物多样性有新的认识;其影响将得到加强，因为本研究采用的新方法旨在加速全球其他地点海洋线虫的生物清单。 这项研究将为生态保护工作提供“原材料”，并作为以前未发现的标本的来源，它将支持旨在了解线虫进化的单独研究。 通过向全世界的科学家、公众、教师和决策者提供海洋线虫数据库资源，加强了外联工作。 该项目将开发新的线虫识别辅助工具，以协助科学家进行各种系统和生态工作，包括世界各地的非专业人员（线虫）。 这项研究的目的是培养本科生和研究生，包括代表性不足的群体的显着比例。

Abstract: DEB-0315829A grant has been awarded to Dr. James G. Baldwin and Dr. Paul De Ley of the University of California-Riverside and Dr. William K. Thomas of the University of New Hampshire to collaborate in a systematic inventory of marine nematodes. The inventory will include and preserve morphological records linked by database to DNA sequences selected to highlight unique features of each nematode species. The research site is Mexico's ecologically threatened Gulf of California and specifically the work will focus on five divergent Gulf localities designated as urgent priorities for biodiversity research by Mexican and international agencies. Special emphasis will be given to the ecologically rich northern region, adversely impacted by diversion of Colorado River freshwater and by agricultural runoff. Why focus on nematodes? Nematodes are the most abundant invertebrate on the planet, and yet most species, particularly subtropical and tropical marine forms, remain undiscovered and unnamed. By developing an inventory of nematode species in this unique region, new insight will be gained into the planet's biodiversity; the impact will be enhanced because new methods employed with this study are designed to accelerate bioinventory of marine nematodes at additional sites worldwide. The study will provide the "raw material" for ecological conservation work and as a source of previously undiscovered specimens it will support separate studies designed to understand nematode evolution. Outreach is enhanced by providing databases resources on marine nematodes that will be available worldwide to scientists, the public, teachers and policy makers. The project will develop new identification aids for nematodes that will assist scientists in various systematic and ecological work, including non-specialists (in nematodes), worldwide. This study is designed to train undergraduate and graduate students including a significant proportion from underrepresented groups.