Temporal change of the zooplankton community structure in the southern coast of Korea revealed by next generation sequencing of the DNA barcode

Abstract

Assessment of the biodiversity and temporal change of the zooplankton community structure comprises a fundamental element for understanding the marine ecosystem health. DNA barcoding coupled with high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) technology allows considerably large number of species to be identified from mixed bulk samples within a relatively short time. In the present study, we applied the DNA barcoding NGS approach to examine biodiversity and temporal change of plankton community in Tong-Yeong, southern coast of Korea. The zooplankton samples were collected by towing vertically a 60um mesh sized net in every two weeks from March to July. In addition, every two hour intensive samplings were carried out for 72 hours from July 23 to 26 for assessment of diurnal change. From the every two week samples, 743 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, predominated by Arthropoda (27.3%), Mollusca (25.6%), and Annelida (17.5%) with minor contributions by other 12 phyla. Calanus sinicus, a copepod, comprised the zooplankton community as the most dominant species in March and April and became replaced by the larvae of Crassostrea gigas in June and July. A jelly fish, Rathkea octopunctata, appeared in high abundance in March but disappeared in April. On the contrary, larvae of Mytilus galloprovincialis appeared in April and May and became disappeared by the end of June. From the 72 hour intensive samplinNGS) technology allows considerably large number of species to be identified from mixed bulk samples within a relatively short time. In the present study, we applied the DNA barcoding NGS approach to examine biodiversity and temporal change of plankton community in Tong-Yeong, southern coast of Korea. The zooplankton samples were collected by towing vertically a 60um mesh sized net in every two weeks from March to July. In addition, every two hour intensive samplings were carried out for 72 hours from July 23 to 26 for assessment of diurnal change. From the every two week samples, 743 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, predominated by Arthropoda (27.3%), Mollusca (25.6%), and Annelida (17.5%) with minor contributions by other 12 phyla. Calanus sinicus, a copepod, comprised the zooplankton community as the most dominant species in March and April and became replaced by the larvae of Crassostrea gigas in June and July. A jelly fish, Rathkea octopunctata, appeared in high abundance in March but disappeared in April. On the contrary, larvae of Mytilus galloprovincialis appeared in April and May and became disappeared by the end of June. From the 72 hour intensive samplin