Defining operational taxonomic units using DNA barcode data.

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2005
Authors:M. Blaxter, Mann, J., Chapman, T., Thomas, F., Whitton, C., Floyd, R., Abebe, E.
Journal:Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Volume:360
Pagination:1935–1943
ISSN:0962-8436 (Print); 0962-8436 (Linking)
Abstract:

The scale of diversity of life on this planet is a significant challenge for any scientific programme hoping to produce a complete catalogue, whatever means is used. For DNA barcoding studies, this difficulty is compounded by the realization that any chosen barcode sequence is not the gene 'for' speciation and that taxa have evolutionary histories. How are we to disentangle the confounding effects of reticulate population genetic processes? Using the DNA barcode data from meiofaunal surveys, here we discuss the benefits of treating the taxa defined by barcodes without reference to their correspondence to 'species', and suggest that using this non-idealist approach facilitates access to taxon groups that are not accessible to other methods of enumeration and classification. Major issues remain, in particular the methodologies for taxon discrimination in DNA barcode data.

DOI:10.1098/rstb.2005.1725
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith