DNA条形码技术在北京百花山地区夜蛾科物种鉴定中的应用

为了探讨DNA条形码技术在夜蛾物种鉴定中的可行性, 本研究利用条形码通用引物扩增了北京百花山地区43种夜蛾75个样本的线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基I （mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI）基因序列, 以Kimura双参数模型进行种内种间遗传距离分析、 使用邻接法（neighbor-joining, NJ）和最大简约法（maximum parsimony, MP）分别构建系统发育树, 并利用分子序列差异阈值对样本进行分子可操作分类单元（molecular defined operational taxonomic units, MOTU）划分。结果表明： 所有夜蛾种类通过系统发育树可以成功区分; 种内平均遗传距离(0.03%)远远小于种间平均遗传距离(11.29%); 采用较为保守的1%的序列差异阈值将75个夜蛾样本分为42个MOTU, 正确率为95%, 除了MOTU04包含2个物种外, 剩余41个MOTU与形态种呈现一一对应的关系。结果显示, 基于COI基因的DNA条形码对于本研究中所涉及的夜蛾具有较好的区分, 可以作为一种有效的工具在夜蛾科昆虫物种鉴定中进行应用。     

山西翅果油树上三种重要鳞翅目害虫的形态 和分子鉴定及生活史观察

【目的】明确山西翅果油树Elaeagnus mollis上发生危害的3种鳞翅目害虫形态鉴定特征及生活史特性,并基于mtDNA COI基因DNA条形码对这3个种进行快速物种识别鉴定。【方法】通过观察山西翅果油树上3种鳞翅目害虫成虫外部形态和解剖拍照雌、雄性外生殖器特征,利用PCR扩增对待测样本COI基因DNA条形码序列进行测定,与GenBank数据库中同源序列进行比对,基于COI基因DNA条形码序列构建邻接树 (neighborjoining, NJ),结合形态学研究结果对这3种鳞翅目害虫开展种类鉴定。【结果】形态学鉴定结果表明,危害山西翅果油树的3种鳞翅目害虫为榆兴透翅蛾Synanthedon ulmicola、兴透翅蛾Synanthedon sp.和斜纹小卷蛾Apotomis sp.。对这3个种的外部形态和雌、雄性外生殖器鉴别特征进行了描述和绘图。DNA条形码序列比对分析结果显示,榆兴透翅蛾与GenBank数据库中Synanthedon sequoiae的COI基因核苷酸序列一致性为90.7%,兴透翅蛾与GenBank数据库中Synanthedon spheciformis的COI基因核苷酸序列一致性为90.0%,斜纹小卷蛾与GenBank数据库中Apotomis capreana的COI基因核苷酸序列一致性为92.7%,NJ树聚类分析结果显示3个种分别形成明显的单系分支,与形态学和序列比对鉴定结果相吻合。【结论】本研究基于形态学鉴定和COI基因DNA条形码分子鉴定明确了危害山西翅果油树的3种鳞翅目害虫——榆兴透翅蛾、兴透翅蛾和斜纹小卷蛾,并提供了3个种的形态鉴定特征、生活史资料,为重要经济树种翅果油树的害虫防治提供了理论依据和科学资料。     

苹果园鳞翅目夜蛾科DNA条形码鉴定

为了检验DNA条形码在鳞翅目夜蛾科蛾类鉴定中的可行性,本文对采自北京昌平苹果园内的夜蛾科14种71头蛾类标本分别提取了DNA,并扩增了线粒体cox1及核基因28S,利用系统发育树、遗传距离、阈值等方法进行了鉴定和比较分析。同时,检验了目前BOLD系统的鉴定成功率。实验表明,基于cox1基因和BOLD系统的鉴定成功率达到了100%,而基于28S则很低,为64.8%。用不同方法构建的系统发育树,鉴定结果均相同。93%的种内遗传距离小于1%,94%的种间遗传距离为大于3%,种内种间的遗传距离形成明显的3%阈值现象。     

基于三个分子标记的粉毛蚜亚科DNA条形码

【目的】粉毛蚜亚科昆虫是重要的林业害虫,但是由于蚜虫体型较小,形态特征趋于简化,可用于物种鉴定的有效特征非常有限,因此一般基于外部形态特征难以对蚜虫物种实现快速准确的鉴定。本研究获取该亚科2属10种的DNA条形码标准序列,解决部分物种的分类问题,同时比较了3种标记对粉毛蚜亚科（Pterocommatinae）物种快速鉴定的效率。【方法】基于蚜虫的线粒体细胞色素氧化酶C亚基I（cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI）基因、细胞色素b（cytochrome b, Cytb）基因和蚜虫初级内共生菌Buchnera 6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶（gluconate-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, gnd）基因,对2属10种共197号样品进行NJ分析、遗传距离的计算以及基于相似性的物种鉴定分析。【结果】与K-2P模型相比,基于p-distance模型计算得到的遗传距离更小,序列差异频次图上种内距离与种间距离的重叠区域也小于前者;COI序列的物种鉴定成功率最高。获取了粉毛蚜亚科近200条DNA条形码标准序列,并建立了基于3个标记的该亚科物种DNA条形码序列库。【结论】在粉毛蚜亚科DNA条形码研究中,p-distance模型要优于K-2P模型;COI序列具有最高的条形码分析效率;增毛卷粉毛蚜Plocamaphis assetacea可能为蜡卷粉毛蚜Plocamaphis flocculosa的同物异名。     

北京白羊沟景区农林交错带蛾类DNA条形码鉴定

[目的]DNA条形码技术已经在多个类群中得到了广泛应用,但对数量巨大的鳞翅目昆虫而言,仍然缺失大量数据,尤其是形态鉴定较为困难的小蛾类和很多中型蛾类,尚无法构建较为完善的DNA条形码系统.本研究旨在为鳞翅目害虫DNA条形码系统的构建和完善提供数据来源及支撑,验证COⅠ基因作为DNA条形码通用基因的准确性,探讨28S rDNA的D2基因片段作为DNA条形码辅助基因的可行性,并检验目前BOLD系统的鉴定成功率.[方法]对采集自北京白羊沟风景区的小蛾类和中型蛾类490头标本进行形态鉴定和DNA测序,分别基于COⅠ及28S D2基因计算种内种间遗传距离,并构建了NJ系统发育树.[结果]BOLD系统的鉴定成功率为65％,对小蛾类和夜蛾类鉴定成功率较低.基于COⅠ基因的NJ树鉴定成功率为94.4％,基于28S D2基因的NJ树鉴定成功率为89.4％.[结论]结合种内与种间遗传距离结果,COⅠ基因适合作为鳞翅目蛾类DNA条形码通用基因,28S D2基因较为保守,不适合作为DNA条形码的辅助基因.     

基于进化树、距离和特征的DNA条形码方法研究——以百花山地区草螟科为例

DNA条形码是一种快捷高效的分子鉴定新技术,近年来在动物分类学领域中得到迅速的发展和应用。在条形码的研究中有基于进化树、距离和特征3种常用的分析方法:第1种方法需要构建系统发育树,分析样本在树上的聚类情况;第2种方法依赖于物种种内和种间的序列差异;第3种则是通过一系列的诊断特征位点来鉴定物种。本研究扩增了北京百花山地区14种草螟科昆虫88个样本的线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅰ(mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunitⅠ,COⅠ)基因片段,分别基于进化树、距离和特征方法进行了分析,以探讨不同DNA条形码方法在草螟科物种鉴定中的可行性。结果表明:在使用邻接法(neighbor-joining,NJ)构建的系统发育树上,14个草螟物种各自聚成一个单系,均被成功区分。基于Kimura双参数模型计算遗传距离得出,种内和种内有一个明显的"barcoding gap",且ABGD软件对样本的划分完全符合形态鉴定结果。在所有的草螟物种中都找到了诊断核苷酸位点,基于特征来鉴定草螟物种的成功率为100%。结果显示,这3种方法对于本研究中所涉及的草螟都具有较好的区分,基于COⅠ基因的DNA条形码可以作为一种有效的工具在草螟科昆虫的物种鉴定中进行应用。     

DNA条形码试剂盒检测技术在大小蠹属种类鉴定中的应用（英文）

【目的】DNA条形码技术已成为生物分类鉴定的有力工具。DNA条形码技术的相关问题,如物种种内和种间的遗传距离出现重叠区域,将直接影响到物种鉴定的准确性。我们应用DNA条形码试剂盒检测技术来快速、准确地鉴定口岸截获的检疫性大小蠹属种类。【方法】针对大小蠹昆虫设计引物以提高PCR扩增效率。运用自主研发的基因条码分析软件找出基因片段上区分每个物种的多态位点规律,作为该物种的鉴定特征并建立数据库,应用于物种鉴定。【结果】使用针对大小蠹属昆虫设计的引物成功扩增出325 bp的COI基因片段。将大小蠹属12种昆虫的COI基因片段上的核苷酸诊断位点的组合作为物种的鉴定特征,可以准确地区分近似种。通过比对植物检疫鉴定系统数据库里的鉴定特征,将6个大小蠹属的未知样品成功鉴定到种(核苷酸序列一致性为100%),与形态鉴定结果一致。【结论】结果表明DNA条形码试剂盒检测技术可以准确鉴定大小蠹属的种类。该检测技术可以应用于其他经济重要性有害生物的检测鉴定。     

支持向量机和邻接法在夜蛾科昆虫条码研究中的应用

【背景】鳞翅目夜蛾科昆虫种类繁多,目前已经超过3．5万种,绝大多数是农林生产的主要害虫。由于多数近缘属种形态相似,难以鉴定,给农林害虫的防治工作带了很大的困难。DNA条形码技术是一种快速、准确鉴定物种的方法。支持向量机作为一种新的机器学习方法,自1995年被提出以来已经在数据分类和高维模式识别等领域取得不错的效果。【方法】将北京妙峰山采集的58种夜蛾101个样品的COI序列分成3套数据集,分别通过邻接法和支持向量机对其进行验证。【结果】通过对DNA条形码物种鉴定结果的验证表明,邻接法优于支持向量机。但DNA条形码在鉴定夜蛾科的一些近缘种上,效果不佳,如棉铃虫和烟青虫。【结论与意义】DNA条形码作为一种新兴的物种鉴定方法,在分类学上具有很高的应用价值。通过邻接法和支持向量机的比较,虽然支持向量机的成功率低于邻接法,但是其在DNA条形码中的应用是对数据问询方式的一种探索。     

警惕入侵物种盖罩大蜗牛随进境邮寄物的传入

【目的】明确北京口岸从进境邮寄物中截获的蜗牛种类,及其分类地位、分布、潜在入侵危害性等情况。【方法】通过形态学特征和DNA条形码技术对截获的蜗牛样本进行物种鉴定,并通过相关文献综合分析比较该物种与近似种的区别,以及我国口岸检疫性蜗牛的截获情况。【结果】鉴定结果为检疫性软体动物盖罩大蜗牛,隶属于腹足纲柄眼目大蜗牛科大蜗牛属。【结论】针对随邮寄物传入的检疫性蜗牛种类,建议口岸在主要应用形态学进行鉴定的基础上,利用DNA条形码技术进行辅助鉴定,从而提高鉴定准确率。     

巨疖蝙蛾不同虫态的COI基因条形码识别

【目的】巨疖蝙蛾Endoclita davidi(Poujade,1886)是雪峰虫草菌Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis的重要寄主。本研究分析了该虫线粒体DNA COI基因条形码,以在不同虫态及被虫草菌寄生的僵虫状态下能快速准确鉴定寄主种类。【方法】PCR扩增巨疖蝙蛾成虫(足一对,胸肌,翅基部)、卵(单粒)、幼虫(胸足一对)、蛹(少量体壁组织)及虫草僵虫(胸足或体壁)组织共计21个样品的COI基因片段(约658 bp)并进行测序和比对;以MEGA6.0软件的K2-P双参数模型计算种内及种间遗传距离;以邻接法(neighbor-joining,NJ)和最大简约法(maximum parsimony,MP)两种方法构建系统发育树。【结果】聚类分析与形态学鉴定结果一致,所纳入分析的20个样品均为同一物种,节点支持率可达99%。种内遗传距离为0.00%~1.08%,平均0.54%。与蝙蝠蛾科其他6种昆虫种间遗传距离为5.36%~13.31%,平均10.47%;种间遗传距离为种内遗传距离的19.39倍(10.47%vs 0.54%),而且种内与种间遗传距离没有重叠区域。【结论】基于mtDNA COI基因DNA条形码技术可以用于巨疖蝙蛾的快速准确鉴定,并对蝙蝠蛾科(Hepialidae)昆虫的分子系统发育分析有重要意义。     

Pay Attention to the Overlooked Cryptic Diversity in Existing Barcoding Data: the Case of Mollusca with Character-Based DNA Barcoding

With the global biodiversity crisis, DNA barcoding aims for fast species identification and cryptic species diversity revelation. For more than 10 years, large amounts of DNA barcode data have been accumulating in publicly available databases, most of which were conducted by distance or tree-building methods that have often been argued, especially for cryptic species revelation. In this context, overlooked cryptic diversity may exist in the available barcoding data. The character-based DNA barcoding, however, has a good chance for detecting the overlooked cryptic diversity. In this study, marine mollusk was as the ideal case for detecting the overlooked potential cryptic species from existing cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences with character-based DNA barcode. A total of 1081 COI sequences of mollusks, belonging to 176 species of 25 families of Gastropoda, Cephalopoda, and Lamellibranchia, were conducted by character analysis. As a whole, the character-based barcoding results were consistent with previous distance and tree-building analysis for species discrimination. More importantly, quite a number of species analyzed were divided into distinct clades with unique diagnostical characters. Based on the concept of cryptic species revelation of character-based barcoding, these species divided into separate taxonomic groups might be potential cryptic species. The detection of the overlooked potential cryptic diversity proves that the character-based barcoding mode possesses more advantages of revealing cryptic biodiversity. With the development of DNA barcoding, making the best use of barcoding data is worthy of our attention for species conservation.     

Testing four proposed barcoding markers for the identification of species within Ligustrum L. (Oleaceae)

DNA barcoding is a biological technique that uses short and standardized genes or DNA regions to facilitate species identification. DNA barcoding has been used successfully in several animal and plant groups. Ligustrum (Oleaceae) species occur widely throughout the world and are used as medicinal plants in China. Therefore, the accurate identification of species in this genus is necessary. Four potential DNA barcodes, namely the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and three chloroplast (cp) DNA regions (rbcL, matK, and trnH–psbA), were used to differentiate species within Ligustrum. BLAST, character-based method, tree-based methods and TAXONDNA analysis were used to investigate the molecular identification capabilities of the chosen markers for discriminating 92 samples representing 20 species of this genus. The results showed that the ITS sequences have the most variable information, followed by trnH–psbA, matK, and rbcL. All sequences of the four regions correctly identified the species at the genus level using BLAST alignment. At the species level, the discriminating power of rbcL, matK, trnH–psbA, and ITS based on neighbor-joining (NJ) trees was 36.8%, 38.9%, 77.8%, and 80%, respectively. Using character-based and maximum parsimony (MP) tree methods together, the discriminating ability of trnH–psbA increased to 88.9%. All species could be differentiated using ITS when combining the NJ tree method with character-based or MP tree methods. Overall, the results indicate that DNA barcoding is an effective molecular identification method for Ligustrum species. We propose the nuclear ribosomal ITS as a plant barcode for plant identification and trnH–psbA as a candidate barcode sequence.     

Testing four proposed barcoding markers for the identification of species within Ligustrum L.(Oleaceae)

DNA barcoding is a biological technique that uses short and standardized genes or DNA regions to facilitate species identification. DNA barcoding has been used successfully in several animal and plant groups. Ligustrum (Oleaceae) species occur widely throughout the world and are used as medicinal plants in China. Therefore, the accurate identification of species in this genus is necessary. Four potential DNA barcodes, namely the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and three chloroplast (cp) DNA regions (rbcL, marK, and trnH-psbA),were used to differentiate species within Ligustrum. BLAST, character-based method, tree-based methods and TAXONDNA analysis were used to investigate the molecular identification capabilities of the chosen markers for discriminating 92 samples representing 20 species of this genus. The results showed that the ITS sequences have the most variable information, followed by trnH-psbA, matK, and rbcL. All sequences of the four regions correctly identified the species at the genus level using BLAST alignment. At the species level, the discriminating power of rbcL, matK, trnH-psbA and ITS based on neighbor-joining (NJ) trees was 36.8%, 38.9%, 77.8%, and 80%,respectively. Using character-based and maximum parsimony (MP) tree methods together, the discriminating ability of trnH-psbA increased to 88.9%. All species could be differentiated using ITS when combining the NJ tree method with character-based or MP tree methods. Overall, the results indicate that DNA barcoding is an effective molecular identification method for Ligustrum species. We propose the nuclear ribosomal ITS as a plant barcode for plant identification and trnH-psbA as a candidate barcode sequence.     

Comparing the usefulness of distance, monophyly and character-based DNA barcoding methods in species identification: a case study of neogastropoda

Background

DNA barcoding has recently been proposed as a promising tool for the rapid species identification in a wide range of animal taxa. Two broad methods (distance and monophyly-based methods) have been used. One method is based on degree of DNA sequence variation within and between species while another method requires the recovery of species as discrete clades (monophyly) on a phylogenetic tree. Nevertheless, some issues complicate the use of both methods. A recently applied new technique, the character-based DNA barcode method, however, characterizes species through a unique combination of diagnostic characters.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we analyzed 108 COI and 102 16S rDNA sequences of 40 species of Neogastropoda from a wide phylogenetic range to assess the performance of distance, monophyly and character-based methods of DNA barcoding. The distance-based method for both COI and 16S rDNA genes performed poorly in terms of species identification. Obvious overlap between intraspecific and interspecific divergences for both genes was found. The “10× rule” threshold resulted in lumping about half of distinct species for both genes. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree of COI could distinguish all species studied. However, the 16S rDNA tree could not distinguish some closely related species. In contrast, the character-based barcode method for both genes successfully identified 100% of the neogastropod species included, and performed well in discriminating neogastropod genera.

Conclusions/Significance

This present study demonstrates the effectiveness of the character-based barcoding method for species identification in different taxonomic levels, especially for discriminating the closely related species. While distance and monophyly-based methods commonly use COI as the ideal gene for barcoding, the character-based approach can perform well for species identification using relatively conserved gene markers (e.g., 16S rDNA in this study). Nevertheless, distance and monophyly-based methods, especially the monophyly-based method, can still be used to flag species.     

Applying DNA barcoding to conservation practice: a case study of endangered birds and large mammals in China

Owning to advantages over traditional species identification methods, DNA barcoding is suggested to be a promising tool in conservation research. However, the use of DNA barcoding to accurately identify unknown samples in conservation practices has not been well documented in the literature. To illustrate this issue, we implemented a survey of endangered birds and mammals in China based on mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. We included mostly confiscated specimens and non-invasive samples while concealing species information to simulate real-world scenarios of identification. In total, 47 avian and 39 mammalian specimen were re-identified by sequential analyses of online species assignment, genetic distances, phylogenetic reconstruction, and diagnostic nucleotide method. With this multiple analyses approach, 82 individuals were accurately assigned to the species level and four individuals to the genus level. 78.72% of the avian specimen and 87.18% of mammalian specimen identifications were consistent with morphological classification. Among those inconsistent with morphological classification, we identified several potential errors including misidentification based on morphology and mislabelling that may have occurred while combining results from different analytical methods. Our case study not only enriches the barcode database, but also reports a successful application of DNA barcoding identification to conservation practices, which could effectively facilitate species identification of unknown samples in conservation practices in the future.     

Monophyly,Distance and Character–Based Multigene Barcoding Reveal Extraordinary Cryptic Diversity in Nassarius: A Complex and Dangerous Community

Background

Correct identification and cryptic biodiversity revelation for marine organisms are pressing since the marine life is important in maintaining the balance of ecological system and is facing the problem of biodiversity crisis or food safety. DNA barcoding has been proved successful to provide resolution beyond the boundaries of morphological information. Nassarius, the common mudsnail, plays an important role in marine environment and has problem in food safety, but the classification of it is quite confused because of the complex morphological diversity.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we report a comprehensive barcoding analysis of 22 Nassarius species. We integrated the mitochondrial and nuclear sequences and the morphological characters to determine 13 Nassarius species studied and reveal four cryptic species and one pair synonyms. Distance, monophyly, and character–based barcoding methods were employed.

Conclusions/Significance

Such successful identification and unexpected cryptic discovery is significant for Nassarius in food safety and species conversation and remind us to pay more attention to the hidden cryptic biodiversity ignored in marine life. Distance, monophyly, and character–based barcoding methods are all very helpful in identification but the character-based method shows some advantages.     

Character-based DNA barcoding allows discrimination of genera, species and populations in Odonata

DNA barcoding has become a promising means for identifying organisms of all life stages. Currently, phenetic approaches and tree-building methods have been used to define species boundaries and discover 'cryptic species'. However, a universal threshold of genetic distance values to distinguish taxonomic groups cannot be determined. As an alternative, DNA barcoding approaches can be 'character based', whereby species are identified through the presence or absence of discrete nucleotide substitutions (character states) within a DNA sequence. We demonstrate the potential of character-based DNA barcodes by analysing 833 odonate specimens from 103 localities belonging to 64 species. A total of 54 species and 22 genera could be discriminated reliably through unique combinations of character states within only one mitochondrial gene region (NADH dehydrogenase 1). Character-based DNA barcodes were further successfully established at a population level discriminating seven population-specific entities out of a total of 19 populations belonging to three species. Thus, for the first time, DNA barcodes have been found to identify entities below the species level that may constitute separate conservation units or even species units. Our findings suggest that character-based DNA barcoding can be a rapid and reliable means for (i) the assignment of unknown specimens to a taxonomic group, (ii) the exploration of diagnosability of conservation units, and (iii) complementing taxonomic identification systems.     

A Retrospective Approach to Testing the DNA Barcoding Method

A decade ago, DNA barcoding was proposed as a standardised method for identifying existing species and speeding the discovery of new species. Yet, despite its numerous successes across a range of taxa, its frequent failures have brought into question its accuracy as a short-cut taxonomic method. We use a retrospective approach, applying the method to the classification of New Zealand skinks as it stood in 1977 (primarily based upon morphological characters), and compare it to the current taxonomy reached using both morphological and molecular approaches. For the 1977 dataset, DNA barcoding had moderate-high success in identifying specimens (78-98%), and correctly flagging specimens that have since been confirmed as distinct taxa (77-100%). But most matching methods failed to detect the species complexes that were present in 1977. For the current dataset, there was moderate-high success in identifying specimens (53-99%). For both datasets, the capacity to discover new species was dependent on the methodological approach used. Species delimitation in New Zealand skinks was hindered by the absence of either a local or global barcoding gap, a result of recent speciation events and hybridisation. Whilst DNA barcoding is potentially useful for specimen identification and species discovery in New Zealand skinks, its error rate could hinder the progress of documenting biodiversity in this group. We suggest that integrated taxonomic approaches are more effective at discovering and describing biodiversity.     

caos software for use in character-based DNA barcoding

The success of character-based DNA barcoding depends on the efficient identification of diagnostic character states from molecular sequences that have been organized hierarchically (e.g. according to phylogenetic methods). Similarly, the reliability of these identified diagnostic character states must be assessed according to their ability to diagnose new sequences. Here, a set of software tools is presented that implement the previously described Characteristic Attribute Organization System for both diagnostic identification and diagnostic-based classification. The software is publicly available from http://sarkarlab.mbl.edu/CAOS.     

Identification of larval fish in mangrove areas of Peninsular Malaysia using morphology and DNA barcoding methods

The identification of larval fish has been an important morphological issue in marine biology due to the dramatic transformations that most species undergo from early larval stages to adulthood. Insufficient morphological diagnostic characters in larval fishes made it easy to misidentify them and a difficult process to key to genus and species level. The experiment aims to find out, by applying DNA barcoding, how consistent the morphological identifications can be among larval fish. Larval fish were mainly collected using plankton nets around mangrove areas in Pendas (Johor), Setiu (Terengganu), Pekan (Pahang) and Matang (Perak) Malaysia between April 2015 and October 2015. A total of 354 samples were morphologically identified, mostly to the family level and a few to the genus level. Larval fish ranged from 1.5 mm to 31 mm of total length, with the most abundant individuals being <3 mm. Among them, a total of 177 individuals were selected for DNA barcoding analyses. Molecular works involved polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase I (COI) gene fragment (655 base pairs) methods. DNA barcoding enabled all samples to be identified down to species level. The overall genetic identities ranged from 91% to 100%. Morphological identification classified the specimens into 19 families and 11 genera while DNA barcoding identified them into 19 families 33 genera and 40 species. A comparison between the two methods showed a mismatched identification of 42.6% where the accuracy percentage for morphological identification was moderate for the family level (67.8%) but was low for genus level identification (30%). The DNA barcoding method also managed to successfully identify 86.4% of the samples up to their species level where morphological method has failed to do so. The most misidentified families in the study were Blenniidae, Sparidae, Apogonidae Ambassidae and Monachantidae while almost all samples from the family Gobiidae and Engraulidae were correctly identified to family level because of their distinct morphology. In conclusion, taxonomic studies of larval fish should continue using combination of both morphology and DNA barcoding methods. Morphological identification should be more conservative i.e., when in doubt, it is better to key only to family and not to the genus and species level. DNA barcoding is a better method for deeper taxonomic levels identification with the existence of robust sequence reference libraries and should be able to validate the accuracy of traditional larval fish identification.