The Barcode Blog

An unidentified Selasphorus hummingbird spent fall 2005 and winter 2006 frequenting a hummingbird feeder in London, Ontario. As is often true with female or immature hummingbirds, despite close observation and photographs, it was not possible to identify the exact species, in this case whether this was an Allen’s (S. sasin) or Rufous (S. rufus), species native to the western U.S. that normally winter in Mexico. Even in the hand, identification can be difficult and in banding studies most individuals are often simply recorded as “UNHU”, unidentified hummingbird species.

In this case, a single feather spotted beneath the feeder was brought to University of Guelph, Ontario. DNA extracted from the feather and analyzed for COI barcode proved a match for S. rufus. 

Beyond solving a conundrum for birders, this case points toward a general utility of DNA barcoding in conservation assessments by enabling routine identification of otherwise unidentifiable species, including use of samples from live individuals which may be particularly important in study of threatened or endangered species.  

Researchers met at Naturalis, the Natural History Museum of Leiden, Netherlands, on 20-21 April 2006 to form plans for barcoding Palearctic birds. The meeting was convened by Per Ericson, ABBI Palearctic Regional Chair, Swedish Museum of Natural History, hosted by Rene Dekker, Naturalis, and included representatives from Canada, Denmark, England, France, Iran, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, and the United States. Additional participants in Palearctic ABBI are welcome–please contact Per Ericson per.ericson@nrm.se.

Discussion topics included sampling strategies based on geographical patterns in Palearctic avian diversity, updating the ABBI compilation of existing avian tissue specimens, using ongoing collecting and ringing operations as additional sources for un- or under-sampled species, cost-effectiveness of DNA sequence recovery from museum skins, facilitation of regional network activities with Barcode of Life Database (BOLD), need for email, website, and/or listserve to monitor progress and plan next steps, potential small and large-scale funding sources including possible low or no-cost sequencing at pre-existing genomic centers, and exciting early results with 600+ COI barcodes from eastern Palearctic birds.  Based on this workshop, the Palearctic group expects much progress over the coming year.

Representatives from 15 natural history museums and research institutions in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark gathered at Oslo Natural History Museum on 20-21 March 2006 to discuss the role genetic resource collections in the Barcoding of Life Initiative. Lutz Bachmann, Arild Johnsen, Jan T. Lifjeld, and Jon Lonnve organized an enjoyable and productive meeting, including many well-timed coffee breaks! There was general enthusiasm about museums joining in a collective effort, the public and scientific importance of genetic collections and natural history museums in understanding and preserving biodiversity, and the Barcoding of Life Initiative. As an initial step, the Natural History Museum in Oslo plans to barcode Norwegian birds, drawing on its 10,000+ samples of avian tissues. For more information contact Jan T. Lifjeld (j.t.lifjeld@nhm.uio.no).

Locations of natural history museums represented at Oslo meeting

Bird barcodes fly in. So far, researchers have deposited 3308 avian COI barcodes from about 800 species, which represents 8% of world birds, to the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) www.barcodinglife.org. Sequences from outside North America are flocking in, including a recent set from western Australian parrots, contributed by Peter Spencer, Murdoch University. Quoting P. Spencer “these species are generally high profile, expensive (some >AUD50K) and charismatic (aka people like to steal and display them!).” The barcode database may assist with wildlife forensics in preventing illegal taking and export.

ABBI on tour, internationally. A 2 day meeting “Museum Collections and the Barcoding of Life” will be held at the Oslo Natural History Museum on March 20-21, 2006, and is heavily oversubscribed! ABBI-related presentations include talks by Per Ericson, Swedish Museum of Natural History; Jon Fjeldsa, Zoological Museum, Copenhagen; Arild Johnsen, Oslo Natural History Museum; and myself.

On April 7-8, 2006, a Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) meeting will be held in Capetown, South Africa. David Schindel, Executive Secretary of CBOL, will present a summary of ABBI progress and plans.

A workshop on “DNA barcoding of Palearctic bird species at Naturalis” will be held at National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, on 20-21 April 2006, organized by Per Ericson, Swedish Museum of Natural History. There may be additional space; if interested, please contact Per Ericson Per.Ericson@nrm.se

Where is that barcoder? An excellent site with remarkable photos of pelagic birds www.oceanwanderers.com/, sometimes features ID puzzles, such as this unidentified petrel that landed on a cruise ship coming into Hawaii. Despite being held and photographed, its identify remains uncertain. A single breast feather collected before releasing and we might know the answer!