Use: The taxon-specific dissection procedures are split according to taxonomic order. They outline how to dissect specimens for DNA barcoding, genome sequencing, and specimen vouchering when relevant. Different taxa often require different sampling, preparation, photography, storage techniques and processes.
When relevant, the set of instructions are accompanied by taxon-specific pictorial dissection guides.
Details for field collection type, photography, dissection, storage and voucher curation of broad taxon groups are provided.
Please see the Sanger Sample Submission SOP (link below) for general details on physical handling of specimens, including cold chain use, and collation of metadata for sample submission to Sanger. These details are not included in this set of SOPs.
This SOP will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis by the Other Metazoa Working Group to incorporate feedback from the community.
Raising issues: We are still developing best practice and elements of this SOP are subject to change. If you would like to share any advice, comments, techniques or lessons learned, please do not hesitate to email darwintreeoflife@nhm.ac.uk or inez.januszczak@nhm.ac.uk. Please note these SOPs do not cover every marine Metazoa order, instead focusing on the most common groups within the British Isles and the ones most frequently encountered within the scope of the DToL project. More groups may be added in the future.
Links to SOPs relating to this document:
Paper on DToL metadata collation:
Lawniczak, Mara KN, Robert P. Davey, Jeena Rajan, Lyndall L. Pereira-da-Conceicoa, Estelle Kilias, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Ian Barnes et al. "Specimen and sample metadata standards for biodiversity genomics: a proposal from the darwin tree of life project." Wellcome Open Research 7, no. 187 (2022): 187.
Pictorial dissection guide graphics: Chris Fletcher (Natural History Museum (NHM)).
Photos: Chris Fletcher (NHM), John Bishop (Marine Biological Association (MBA)).
Thank you to all the Curators and Scientific Associates at the NHM and at the MBA for looking over and revising these SOPs.
Thank you to the Darwin Tree of Life Principle Investigators Dr. Gavin Broad (NHM) and Dr. Michael Cunliffe (MBA) for supporting the publication of these SOPs.