Plant DNA barcoding: from gene to genome |
| |
| Authors: | Xiwen Li Yang Yang Robert J Henry Maurizio Rossetto Yitao Wang Shilin Chen |
| |
| Institution: | 1. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China;2. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia;3. National Herbarium of NSW, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;4. Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China |
| |
| Abstract: | DNA barcoding is currently a widely used and effective tool that enables rapid and accurate identification of plant species; however, none of the available loci work across all species. Because single‐locus DNA barcodes lack adequate variations in closely related taxa, recent barcoding studies have placed high emphasis on the use of whole‐chloroplast genome sequences which are now more readily available as a consequence of improving sequencing technologies. While chloroplast genome sequencing can already deliver a reliable barcode for accurate plant identification it is not yet resource‐effective and does not yet offer the speed of analysis provided by single‐locus barcodes to unspecialized laboratory facilities. Here, we review the development of candidate barcodes and discuss the feasibility of using the chloroplast genome as a super‐barcode. We advocate a new approach for DNA barcoding that, for selected groups of taxa, combines the best use of single‐locus barcodes and super‐barcodes for efficient plant identification. Specific barcodes might enhance our ability to distinguish closely related plants at the species and population levels. |
| |
| Keywords: | single‐locus barcode universal plastid‐sequencing super‐barcode specific barcode |
|
|
