Cold-Water Coral DNA Sequences from Eastern Canada: Part 1

Fisheries and Oceans Canada sequenced and deposited 36 DNA sequences to GenBank from 19 specimens representing three sea pen taxa. The dataset includes sequences for two octocoral barcoding markers, CO1 and MutS, from specimens collected in the Northwest Atlantic. Specimens were collected from depths between 200 and 1924 meters during research vessel and ROV surveys.

Use Cases

• Compare CO1 and MutS gene sequences across the three sea pen taxa (Distichoptilum gracile, Pennatula aculeata, Protoptilum carpenteri) for phylogenetic analysis.
• Use the 36 GenBank-deposited sequences as a reference library for eDNA detection and identification of cold-water corals in the Northwest Atlantic.
• Analyze genetic markers from specimens collected across a wide depth range (200-1924 meters) to study potential depth-related genetic variation.

Strengths

• Contains 36 DNA sequences from 19 physically vouchered specimens, with identifications confirmed by an expert.
• Sequences cover two standard octocoral barcoding markers (CO1 and MutS), enabling taxonomic and phylogenetic work.
• Specimens have detailed collection metadata, including geographic origin in the Northwest Atlantic and depth range of 200-1924 meters.

Limitations

• Small sample size of 19 specimens and 36 sequences, limiting statistical power for population-level analyses.
• Represents only three sea pen taxa (Distichoptilum gracile, Pennatula aculeata, Protoptilum carpenteri), not the full diversity of cold-water corals in the region.
• Sequences are from Sanger sequencing of specific gene regions, not whole genomes or transcriptomes.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature.

Collection Method

DNA extracted from museum specimens, amplified via PCR for CO1 and MutS markers, and sequenced via Sanger sequencing.

Time Range

Specimens collected during unspecified surveys; sequences deposited in GenBank in 2023 (accession numbers OQ569768-OQ569784, OQ420359-OQ420377).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-24.

Geography

Northwest Atlantic, Eastern Canada.