Biodiversity and DNA Barcoding Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Barcode Index Number (BIN) System?

To classify species solely based on their physical characteristics

To document geographical distribution of species

To enhance morphological assessments of species

To provide a DNA-based registry for all animal species (correct)

How did the speed of DNA barcoding compare to traditional taxonomy in documenting species?

Traditional taxonomy is quicker, requiring only a decade for large numbers of species

DNA barcoding can document species in twelve years compared to hundreds of years for traditional taxonomy (correct)

Both methods take approximately the same time to document species

DNA barcoding is slower and less efficient than traditional methods

What does the current estimate suggest regarding the number of species on Earth?

Approximately 1 million species

Around 8.7 million species, with a possible variance of 1-3 million (correct)

Roughly 15 million species documented and verified

About 5 million species, mostly undiscovered

What contribution does citizen science, such as platforms like iNaturalist, make to biodiversity knowledge?

It promotes the discovery of new species through public engagement Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized for initiating the modern taxonomical approach in biology?

Carolus Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the total DNA sampled from microbial life on Earth?

The fraction of microbial diversity sampled is nearly zero. Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated range of bacterial and archaeal species on the planet?

In the range of millions upon millions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of DNA barcoding mentioned in the content?

A few numbers are sufficient to create unique species identifiers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system discussed in the content?

To create a DNA-based registry for all animal species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of known animal species estimated to be represented in the content?

Approximately 1.9 million Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups is mentioned as part of the estimated diversity of known species?

Arachnids and Crustaceans Signup and view all the answers

What does the content indicate about the COI divergence in birds?

It provides a method for tracking evolutionary relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What statement about species registration is implied in the content?

Species registration processes are evolving to incorporate genetic data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method used for estimating species diversity in microbial communities?

DNA barcoding Signup and view all the answers

Which tool allows for the automated registration of species through user-uploaded photos?

iNaturalist Signup and view all the answers

What classification system was presented by Whittaker in 1969?

Five Kingdom Classification Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of biodiversity was highlighted through the concept of 'bias' in species data collection?

Local vs. Tourist findings Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary purpose of DNA barcoding?

To provide key identification markers for species Signup and view all the answers

Which type of organism is often overlooked in species estimations compared to more visible forms of life?

Bacteria and archaea Signup and view all the answers

What is a major limitation of traditional species estimation methods?

Dependency on expert taxonomists Signup and view all the answers

How does iNaturalist use artificial intelligence in its platform?

To improve species identification with user photos Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Measuring Species Diversity

Scientists estimate the total number of species on Earth to be around 8.7 million, with a margin of error of 1.3 million.
This estimate includes 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in oceans.
The most precise calculation of species counts comes from the Census of Marine Life.
Estimates of the total number of species range from 5 to possibly 10 million or more, highlighting significant undiscovered species.
Many species, notably those in remote or unexplored areas, remain undiscovered and undescribed by science.
Researchers are continually discovering and describing new species regularly, thus the current total is likely to increase.
- This suggests that a significant portion of species on Earth and in the ocean remain unknown.
- Taxonomic and biodiversity research are constantly evolving to offer updated or more accurate information.

Tools and Technologies

iNaturalist:
- A citizen science platform where people can document and share observations of plants and animals, aiding in species discovery.
- Users take photos of organisms and upload them to the platform, facilitating species identification.
- Artificial intelligence is used to make initial identifications and the platform can benefit greatly from more users contributing photos and data.
LifeScanner:
- A tool for robotic discovery of small invertebrates using machine learning methods.
GBIF.org and EOL photos in Flickr:
- Online resources offering extensive biodiversity data, including millions of records.
- Used with additional resources, a powerful tool for comprehensive data on species.
Facebook 2013:
- Demonstrates the reach of observations through an existing, powerful tool, like social media.
Barcodes:
- A technology that helps generate unique identifiers.
- Only a few numbers are needed to generate unique identifiers (e.g. 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 10,000).
- Used for quick identification of species.

Existing Species Datasets and Taxonomies

Scientists have catalogued approximately 1.7 million species to date, which is a relatively small subset of the total.
The global number of species on Earth is 5 ± 3 million.
- This figure considers known species (1.5 million) and estimates the number likely to exist.
Existing databases indicate there are more taxonomists describing species now than ever before.
The increase in taxonomists outpaces the rate of species description, suggesting ongoing efforts to catalogue species are impactful.
Species survival in secondary habitats are delaying extinctions.
Extinction rates are poorly understood, varying from 0.01 to 1%, at most 5%, per decade.

Bio-Diversity Distribution

There are significant disparities in the number of species catalogued across various taxa, with some groups far more documented than others.
The distribution of species on the map and various databases showcases how the numbers for these species are quite different.
Some groups show occurrences excess, others show occurrences shortfall.

Evolutionary Trees

Evolutionary trees show evolutionary relationships between different organisms based on ribosomal RNA sequences (and genetics).
Shows how various species relate to one another based on ancestry.
Allows scientists to analyze similar characteristics, to determine their evolutionary ties.

Taxonomic Classification

Biologists have established standardized methods for classifying species, based on higher taxonomic classification (e.g., phylum, class, etc.)
This method helps in the estimation of the total number of species in a particular group efficiently to provide insights to the totality of the existing species on Earth.
The five-kingdom classification based on cell structure and nutrition (plants, fungi, animals, protists and monera) reflects the historical view of the nature and diversity of life on our planet.

Additional Notes

Estimated numbers of species are continuing to evolve as more data and research emerge.
Continued exploration and taxonomy are vital for a more complete understanding of Earth's biodiversity.
The current knowledge of species diversity is incomplete and requires more efforts and resources to be address.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Barcode Index Number (BIN) System and its role in biodiversity documentation. Explore the comparison between DNA barcoding and traditional taxonomy, along with the importance of citizen science in enhancing our understanding of species diversity. Dive into estimates of total species and contributions to taxonomy.