Operating system

Demography

Biology

Computer science

DNA sequencing

DNA extraction

Gene

Sociology

Genetics

Computational biology

Population

Polymerase chain reaction

Sequence (biology)

Adapter (computing)

Ancient DNA

Molecular Ecology Resources

Despite advances that allow DNA sequencing of old museum specimens, sequencing small‐bodied, historical specimens can be challenging and unreliable as many contain only small amounts of fragmented DNA . Dependable methods to sequence such specimens are especially critical if the specimens are unique. We attempt to sequence small‐bodied (3–6 mm) historical specimens (including nomenclatural types) of beetles that have been housed, dried, in museums for 58–159 years, and for which few or no suitable replacement specimens exist. To better understand ideal approaches of sample preparation and produce preparation guidelines, we compared different library preparation protocols using low amounts of input DNA (1–10 ng). We also explored low‐cost optimizations designed to improve library preparation efficiency and sequencing success of historical specimens with minimal DNA , such as enzymatic repair of DNA . We report successful sample preparation and sequencing for all historical specimens despite our low‐input DNA a...

Sequencing historical specimens: successful preparation of small specimens with low amounts of degraded <scp>DNA</scp>

Sequencing historical specimens: successful preparation of small specimens with low amounts of degraded DNA