DNA barcodes for Great Salt Lake brine flies establish a baseline for monitoring changes in biodiversity

Great Salt Lake (GSL) is the center of a valuable wetland ecosystem in the Great Basin of North America. The lake is an important site for millions of migratory birds that feed on 2 principal invertebrates, brine shrimp and brine flies (Diptera: Ephydridae). Despite their ecological and economic importance, no genetic studies have been published for either resident GSL invertebrate. The family Ephydridae (shore flies and brine flies) is one of the largest in the order Diptera, with nearly 2000 described species. Members of this family are prominent in a variety of aquatic environments and are particularly interesting because of their adaptation to several marginal habitats, including hot springs, oil ponds, highly saline lakes, and inland alkaline pools and marshes. This report provides cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase I (COI) DNA barcodes for 5 species of GSL shore flies, distributed among 5 genera and 3 subfamilies. The phylogenetic content of these DNA sequences is explored by comparing a molecular phylogeny to those based on morphological features. Over the past decade, urbanization and inflow diversion have reduced the surface area of GSL by nearly 50%, with unknown consequences for the ecosystem. This study establishes a genetic framework to assess changes in GSL invertebrate diversity important in monitoring the effects of anthropogenic and climate pressures on this important natural resource.