Abstract
A DNA barcode based on 650 bp of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I is proving to be highly functional in species identification for various animal groups. However, DNA degradation complicates the recovery of a full-length barcode from many museum specimens. Here we explore the use of shorter barcode sequences for identification of such specimens. We recovered short sequences - i.e. ∼100 bp - with a single PCR pass from more than 90% of the specimens in assemblages of moth and wasp museum specimens from which full barcode recovery was only 50%, and the latter were usually less than 8 years old. Short barcodes were effective in identifying specimens, confirming their utility in circumstances where full barcodes are too expensive to obtain and the identification comparisons are within a confined taxonomic group.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 959-964 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Molecular Ecology Notes |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2006 |
Keywords
- COI
- DNA barcoding
- DNA degradation
- Fish
- Lepidoptera
- Museum specimens
- Parasitic wasps
- Taxonomy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Ecology
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)