NEON Biorepository Benthic Macroinvertebrate Collection (DNA Extracts)

This collection contains genetic extracts from homogenized benthic macroinvertebrate samples collected during aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling (NEON sample class: inv_dnaExtraction_in.dnaSampleID). Benthic macroinvertebrate metabrcode samples are collected for analysis at wadeable stream, river, and lake sites during the mid-summer aquatic biology bout window, at the same time and location as morphological taxonomy samples. Samples are collected using the most appropriate sampler for the habitat type, including Surber, Hess, hand corer, modified kicknet, D-frame sweep, and petite ponar samplers using field-sterile methods. In wadeable streams, samples are collected in the most dominant habitat type (e.g. riffles, runs, pools, step pools). In lakes and rivers, samples are collected in littoral areas using a D-frame sweep. Samples are preserved in ethanol in the field, returned to the domain support facility for a preservative change prior to shipping to an external facility. The metabarcode samples from bout 2 (summer) are shipped to an external facility for homogenization and high-throughput sequencing (metabarcoding). The unused portion of genetic extracts are archived at the NEON Biorepository in 2 mL cryovials and stored at -80 degrees Celsius. See related links below for protocols and NEON related data products. The metabarcoding analysis protocols used by external facilities are available in the NEON document library (https://data.neonscience.org/documents).