Developing and Applying Methodologies to Characterise Biodiversity Using Ancient and Degraded DNA

Abstract

This thesis explores the utility of high-throughput DNA sequencing in characterising ancient and degraded DNA in south-west Australia. With the development of a new bulk-bone metabarcoding methodology alongside the extraction and characterisation of plant DNA from sediment, this thesis enabled a detailed molecular profile of cave sites across south-west Australia. Together, the manuscripts within this thesis raise a number of universal considerations when embarking upon environmental metabarcoding studies to analyse past and present biodiversity.