Type Genomics: A Framework for Integrating Genomic Data into Biodiversity and Taxonomic Research

Name-bearing type specimens have a fundamental role in characterizing biodiversity, as these objects represent the physical link between a scientific name and the biological organism. Type specimens are usually deposited in natural history collections, which provide key infrastructure for research on essential biological structures and processes, while preserving records of biodiversity for future generations. Modern systematics increasingly depends on genetic and genomic data to differentiate and characterize species. While the results of genome sequencing are often connected to a physical voucher specimen, they are rarely derived from the ultimate taxonomic reference for a species, that is, the name-bearing type specimens. This is a known but underappreciated problem for ensuring the replicability of findings, especially those that affect the interpretation of biodiversity distributions and phylogenetic relationships. Destructive sampling of museum specimens, particularly of type material, often carries a high risk of sequencing failure, and thus the cost of damage to the specimen may outweigh the resulting benefit. Both taxonomic work and genome sequencing require specialist skills, and there are often communication gaps between the respective experts. A new, harmonized approach, maximizing information extraction while minimizing risk to type specimens, is a critical step forward toward linking disciplines across biodiversity research and promoting a better taxonomic and systematic understanding of eukaryotic diversity. The genetic makeup of a type specimen is a fundamental part of its biological information, which can and should be made freely and digitally available through type genomics. Here, we describe guidelines for the use of nomenclatural types in genome sequencing approaches, considering different kinds of types in different stages of preservation and different data types.

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Journal
Systematic Biology
Published
2025-05-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf040
Citations
7
Primary Topic
Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
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article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
12.01

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article

Type Genomics: A Framework for Integrating Genomic Data into Biodiversity and Taxonomic Research

Marianne Espeland, Mozes P. K. Blom, Umilaela Arifin, Christian Printzen et al.
7 citations
Systematic Biology
Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
12.01
article

Type Genomics: A Framework for Integrating Genomic Data into Biodiversity and Taxonomic Research

Marianne Espeland, Mozes P. K. Blom, Umilaela Arifin, Christian Printzen, Iker Irisarri, Axel Janke, Harald Letsch, Julia D. Sigwart, Astrid Böhne, Ximo Mengual, Anja Palandačić, Karen Meusemann, Nancy Edith Salas, Anna K. Hundsdoerfer, Sarah Lemer, Patrick Kück, Nikolaus U. Szucsich, Steffen U. Pauls, Günther Köhler, Carolina Corrales, Stefan Wanke, Alexander Donath, Carola Greve, Jenna M. Moore, Uwe Fritz, Till Töpfer, Tilic Ekin, Madlen Stange, Karina L Silva-Brandão, Alexander Suh
article en
7 citations

Abstract

Name-bearing type specimens have a fundamental role in characterizing biodiversity, as these objects represent the physical link between a scientific name and the biological organism. Type specimens are usually deposited in natural history collections, which provide key infrastructure for research on essential biological structures and processes, while preserving records of biodiversity for future generations. Modern systematics increasingly depends on genetic and genomic data to differentiate and characterize species. While the results of genome sequencing are often connected to a physical voucher specimen, they are rarely derived from the ultimate taxonomic reference for a species, that is, the name-bearing type specimens. This is a known but underappreciated problem for ensuring the replicability of findings, especially those that affect the interpretation of biodiversity distributions and phylogenetic relationships. Destructive sampling of museum specimens, particularly of type material, often carries a high risk of sequencing failure, and thus the cost of damage to the specimen may outweigh the resulting benefit. Both taxonomic work and genome sequencing require specialist skills, and there are often communication gaps between the respective experts. A new, harmonized approach, maximizing information extraction while minimizing risk to type specimens, is a critical step forward toward linking disciplines across biodiversity research and promoting a better taxonomic and systematic understanding of eukaryotic diversity. The genetic makeup of a type specimen is a fundamental part of its biological information, which can and should be made freely and digitally available through type genomics. Here, we describe guidelines for the use of nomenclatural types in genome sequencing approaches, considering different kinds of types in different stages of preservation and different data types.

Systematic BiologyVol. 74(6)
Goethe University Frankfurt (DE), Natural History Museum Vienna (AT), University of Vienna (AT), Museum für Naturkunde (DE), University of Ljubljana (SI), Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (DE), State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe (DE), Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt/M (DE), Leibniz Association (DE), Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (DE), Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden (DE), Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (DE), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (ES), Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (DE), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX)
UK Research and Innovation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Leibniz-Gemeinschaft, Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, European Social Fund
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Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
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