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Biological identifications through DNA barcodes (2003)
| Venue: | Proc. Biol. Sci |
| Citations: | 334 - 3 self |
BibTeX
@ARTICLE{Hebert03biologicalidentifications,
author = {Paul D. N. Hebert and Alina Cywinska and Shelley L. Ball and Jeremy R. Dewaard},
title = {Biological identifications through DNA barcodes},
journal = {Proc. Biol. Sci},
year = {2003},
volume = {270},
pages = {313--321}
}
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Abstract
Although much biological research depends upon species diagnoses, taxonomic expertise is collapsing. We are convinced that the sole prospect for a sustainable identification capability lies in the construction of systems that employ DNA sequences as taxon ‘barcodes’. In this study, we establish that the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), can serve as the core of a global bioidentification system for animals. We show firstly that COI profiles, derived from the low-density sampling of higher taxonomic categories, ordinarily assign newly analyzed taxa to the appropriate phylum or order. We subsequently demonstrate that species-level assignments can be obtained by creating comprehensive COI profiles. A model COI profile, based upon the analysis of a single individual from each of 200 closely allied species of lepidopterans, was 100 % successful in correctly identifying subsequent specimens. When fully developed, a COI identification system will provide a reliable, cost-effective and accessible solution to the current problems of species identification. Its assembly will also generate important new insights concerning the diversification of life and the rules of molecular evolution. 2
Keyphrases
biological identification dna barcodes coi identification system specie diagnosis model coi profile low-density sampling current problem sole prospect much biological research subsequent specimen global bioidentification system coi profile important new insight species-level assignment accessible solution comprehensive coi profile specie identification sustainable identification capability taxon barcodes appropriate phylum allied specie taxonomic category dna sequence single individual molecular evolution cytochrome oxidase mitochondrial gene taxonomic expertise
