The campaign to DNA barcode all fishes, FISH-BOL

FISH-BOL, the Fish Barcode of Life campaign, is an international research collaboration that is assembling a standardized reference DNA sequence library for all fishes. Analysis is targeting a 648 base pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. More than 5000 species have already been DNA barcoded, with an average of five specimens per species, typically vouchers with authoritative identifications. The barcode sequence from any fish, fillet, fin, egg or larva can be matched against these reference sequences using BOLD; the Barcode of Life Data System ( http://www.barcodinglife.org ). The benefits of barcoding fishes include facilitating species identification, highlighting cases of range expansion for known species, flagging previously overlooked species and enabling identifications where traditional methods cannot be applied. Results thus far indicate that barcodes separate c. 98 and 93% of already described marine and freshwater fish species, respectively. Several specimens with divergent barcode sequences have been confirmed by integrative taxonomic analysis as new species. Past concerns in relation to the use of fish barcoding for species discrimination are discussed. These include hybridization, recent radiations, regional differentiation in barcode sequences and nuclear copies of the barcode region. However, current results indicate these issues are of little concern for the great majority of specimens.     

珠江流域常见鱼类及大型底栖动物DNA条形码空缺分析

条形码数据库是开展基于DNA的生物监测关键先决条件。为在珠江流域有效开展基于DNA的生物监测,迫切需要了解物种DNA条形码的覆盖或空缺状况。整理了珠江流域常见鱼类和大型底栖动物的物种清单,从National Center and Biotechnology Information (NCBI)数据库中检索了物种清单的DNA条形码序列,分析了常见鱼类(包括线粒体组和12s rRNA基因)和大型底栖动物(包括线粒体组、COI和18s rRNA基因)的DNA条形码覆盖范围和空缺程度。数据分析表明：(1)珠江流域共记录了常见鱼类221种,隶属于2纲18目51科和137属;常见大型底栖动物105种/属,隶属于6纲14目53科。(2)共检索到常见鱼类线粒体组序列913条和12s rRNA基因序列962条,分别占总物种的81.45%和57.92%;有12.67%的物种没有线粒体组和12s rRNA基因序列,若将条形码阈值设置为至少包含5个参考序列,则空缺度上升至52.94%;(3)共检索到常见大型底栖动物线粒体组65条序列、COI基因26,988条序列和18s rRNA基因175条序列,分别占总种/...     

DNA barcodes of the native ray‐finned fishes in Taiwan

Species identification based on the DNA sequence of a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene in the mitochondrial genome, DNA barcoding, is widely applied to assist in sustainable exploitation of fish resources and the protection of fish biodiversity. The aim of this study was to establish a reliable barcoding reference database of the native ray‐finned fishes in Taiwan. A total of 2993 individuals, belonging to 1245 species within 637 genera, 184 families and 29 orders of ray‐finned fishes and representing approximately 40% of the recorded ray‐finned fishes in Taiwan, were PCR amplified at the barcode region and bidirectionally sequenced. The mean length of the 2993 barcodes is 549 bp. Mean congeneric K2P distance (15.24%) is approximately 10‐fold higher than the mean conspecific one (1.51%), but approximately 1.4‐fold less than the mean genetic distance between families (20.80%). The Barcode Index Number (BIN) discordance report shows that 2993 specimens represent 1275 BINs and, among them, 86 BINs are singletons, 570 BINs are taxonomically concordant, and the other 619 BINs are taxonomically discordant. Barcode gap analysis also revealed that more than 90% of the collected fishes in this study can be discriminated by DNA barcoding. Overall, the barcoding reference database established by this study reveals the need for taxonomic revisions and voucher specimen rechecks, in addition to assisting in the management of Taiwan's fish resources and diversity.     

DNA barcoding Indian marine fishes

DNA barcoding has been adopted as a global bio-identification system for animals in recent years. A major national programme on DNA barcoding of fish and marine life was initiated in India by the authors during 2006 and 115 species of marine fish covering Carangids, Clupeids, Scombrids, Groupers, Sciaenids, Silverbellies, Mullids, Polynemids and Silurids representing 79 Genera and 37 Families from the Indian Ocean have been barcoded for the first time using cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) of the mtDNA. The species were represented by multiple specimens and a total of 397 sequences were generated. After amplification and sequencing of 707 base pair fragment of COI, primers were trimmed which invariably generated a 655 base pair barcode sequence. The average Kimura two parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera, families, orders were 0.30%, 6.60%, 9.91%, 16.00%, respectively. In addition to barcode-based species identification system, phylogenetic relationships among the species have also been attempted. The neighbour-joining tree revealed distinct clusters in concurrence with the taxonomic status of the species.     

The FISH-BOL collaborators' protocol

The Fish barcode of life (FISH-BOL) initiative seeks to establish a reference sequence library of short, standardized mitochondrial gene sequences derived from the 5' end of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (DNA barcodes) to facilitate the rapid, accurate, and cost-effective DNA-based identification of all fishes, regardless of life-stage, sex, or specimen condition. This task requires the participation of scientists from around the world and its success is predicated on the development and acceptance of standard protocols for the collection of specimens associated provenance data. Here, we provide guidelines for specimen collection, imaging, preservation, and archival, as well as meta-data collection and submission protocols developed for the FISH-BOL campaign in order to promote efficient participation in FISH-BOL by a broadening array of international participants.     

Molecular approach to the identification of fish in the South China Sea

Background

DNA barcoding is one means of establishing a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective system for the identification of species. It involves the use of short, standard gene targets to create sequence profiles of known species against sequences of unknowns that can be matched and subsequently identified. The Fish Barcode of Life (FISH-BOL) campaign has the primary goal of gathering DNA barcode records for all the world''s fish species. As a contribution to FISH-BOL, we examined the degree to which DNA barcoding can discriminate marine fishes from the South China Sea.

Methodology/Principal Findings

DNA barcodes of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were characterized using 1336 specimens that belong to 242 species fishes from the South China Sea. All specimen provenance data (including digital specimen images and geospatial coordinates of collection localities) and collateral sequence information were assembled using Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD; www.barcodinglife.org). Small intraspecific and large interspecific differences create distinct genetic boundaries among most species. In addition, the efficiency of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA (16S) and cytochrome b (cytb), and one nuclear ribosomal gene, 18S rRNA (18S), was also evaluated for a few select groups of species.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study provides evidence for the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a tool for monitoring marine biodiversity. Open access data of fishes from the South China Sea can benefit relative applications in ecology and taxonomy.     

DNA barcoding of lichenized fungi demonstrates high identification success in a floristic context

? Efforts are currently underway to establish a standard DNA barcode region for fungi; we tested the utility of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA for DNA barcoding in lichen-forming fungi by sampling diverse species across eight orders. ? Amplification of the ITS region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) was conducted for 351 samples, encompassing 107, 55 and 28 species, genera and families, respectively, of lichenized fungi. We assessed the ability of the entire ITS vs the ITS2 alone to discriminate between species in a taxonomic dataset (members of the genus Usnea) and a floristic dataset. ? In the floristic dataset, 96.3% of sequenced samples could be assigned to the correct species using ITS or ITS2; a barcode gap for ITS is present in 92.1% of species. Although fewer species have a barcode gap in the taxonomic dataset (73.3% with ITS and 68.8% with ITS2), up to 94.1% of samples were assigned to the correct species using BLAST. ? While discrimination between the most closely related species will remain challenging, our results demonstrate the potential to identify a high percentage of specimens to the correct species, and the remainder to the correct genus, when using DNA barcoding in a floristic context.     

FBIS: A regional DNA barcode archival & analysis system for Indian fishes

DNA barcode is a new tool for taxon recognition and classification of biological organisms based on sequence of a fragment of mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). In view of the growing importance of the fish DNA barcoding for species identification, molecular taxonomy and fish diversity conservation, we developed a Fish Barcode Information System (FBIS) for Indian fishes, which will serve as a regional DNA barcode archival and analysis system. The database presently contains 2334 sequence records of COI gene for 472 aquatic species belonging to 39 orders and 136 families, collected from available published data sources. Additionally, it contains information on phenotype, distribution and IUCN Red List status of fishes. The web version of FBIS was designed using MySQL, Perl and PHP under Linux operating platform to (a) store and manage the acquisition (b) analyze and explore DNA barcode records (c) identify species and estimate genetic divergence. FBIS has also been integrated with appropriate tools for retrieving and viewing information about the database statistics and taxonomy. It is expected that FBIS would be useful as a potent information system in fish molecular taxonomy, phylogeny and genomics. AVAILABILITY: The database is available for free at http://mail.nbfgr.res.in/fbis/     

DNA barcoding commercially important fish species of Turkey

DNA barcoding was used in the identification of 89 commercially important freshwater and marine fish species found in Turkish ichthyofauna. A total of 1765 DNA barcodes using a 654‐bp‐long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene were generated for 89 commercially important freshwater and marine fish species found in Turkish ichthyofauna. These species belong to 70 genera, 40 families and 19 orders from class Actinopterygii, and all were associated with a distinct DNA barcode. Nine and 12 of the COI barcode clusters represent the first species records submitted to the BOLD and GenBank databases, respectively. All COI barcodes (except sequences of first species records) were matched with reference sequences of expected species, according to morphological identification. Average nucleotide frequencies of the data set were calculated as T = 29.7%, C = 28.2%, A = 23.6% and G = 18.6%. Average pairwise genetic distance among individuals were estimated as 0.32%, 9.62%, 17,90% and 22.40% for conspecific, congeneric, confamilial and within order, respectively. Kimura 2‐parameter genetic distance values were found to increase with taxonomic level. For most of the species analysed in our data set, there is a barcoding gap, and an overlap in the barcoding gap exists for only two genera. Neighbour‐joining trees were drawn based on DNA barcodes and all the specimens clustered in agreement with their taxonomic classification at species level. Results of this study supported DNA barcoding as an efficient molecular tool for a better monitoring, conservation and management of fisheries.     

On the utility of DNA barcoding for species differentiation among brown macroalgae (Phaeophyceae) including a novel extraction protocol

The generation of a species-rich DNA barcode database in combination with rapid and affordable sequencing techniques will dramatically change specimen identification in ecological, biogeographical and taxonomic applications. Though cytochrome c oxidase 1 has been shown to be a useful tool for differentiating some groups of marine algae, its wide application in the Phaeophyceae has yet to be studied. The presence of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibiting compounds in members of the Fucales, Laminariales and Tilopteridales, that are often co-extracted with DNA, has hampered the rapid processing associated with barcode projects. Polyphenolics and polysaccharides are present in concentrations such that DNA extraction methods typically include extensive series of washes, organelle extractions and/or cesium columns. In this paper we examine the utility of cytochrome c oxidase 1 for barcoding the Phaeophyceae and present a method for extracting PCR friendly DNA from brown macroalgae in about 2 h, dramatically reducing the time required from previous methods, some of which take days. This method is easily adapted to a 96 well, high-throughput format and may have applications in other organisms where the presence of similar PCR inhibiting compounds hinders molecular analyses. We extracted DNA from 106 isolates representing 29 species from 20 genera in nine families from five orders of Phaeophyceae. We were able to amplify the barcode marker (cytochrome c oxidase 1) from all samples and a nuclear marker (internal transcribed spacer region) from 54 selected samples. Cytochrome c oxidase 1 was able to differentiate clearly among species, showing within species divergence of 0.00–0.46%, with the exception of one previously studied genus, and between species divergences of greater than 3%.     

DNA barcodes for two scale insect families, mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and armored scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Although DNA barcode coverage has grown rapidly for many insect orders, there are some groups, such as scale insects, where sequence recovery has been difficult. However, using a recently developed primer set, we recovered barcode records from 373 specimens, providing coverage for 75 species from 31 genera in two families. Overall success was >90% for mealybugs and >80% for armored scale species. The G·C content was very low in most species, averaging just 16.3%. Sequence divergences (K2P) between congeneric species averaged 10.7%, while intra-specific divergences averaged 0.97%. However, the latter value was inflated by high intra-specific divergence in nine taxa, cases that may indicate species overlooked by current taxonomic treatments. Our study establishes the feasibility of developing a comprehensive barcode library for scale insects and indicates that its construction will both create an effective system for identifying scale insects and reveal taxonomic situations worthy of deeper analysis.     

DNA barcoding of coastal ichthyofauna from Bahia,northeastern Brazil,South Atlantic: High efficiency for systematics and identification of cryptic diversity

In spite of the utility of DNA barcoding in discriminating marine fish species, few studies using this technique are available along the Brazilian coast, which encompasses nearly 9000 km, distinct biogeographic regions and endemism rates. Therefore, in the present work, we provided the first DNA barcode library based on sequencing of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) for Actinopterygii fish from northeastern coast of Brazil. The database included 459 specimens from 54 genera, 31 families and 13 orders, with mean interspecific genetic distance of and mean intraspecific distance of 0.15%. As a result, the neighbor-joining (NJ) tree resulted in the molecular identification of 78 taxa. Cryptic species were indicated in Eucinostomus (mojarras) since the 82 specimens morphologically identified as Eucinostomus melanopterus or Eucinostomus sp. formed five clusters with intraspecific genetic distances up to 0.31% and lowest interspecific distance of 11.14%. Eucinostomus jonesii and Eucinostomus harengulus were identified for the first time in ichthyofauna inventories from northeastern Brazil. The present work has also added new records to the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), thereby favoring the identification of other specimens at different life stages or in forensic studies. The present dataset reinforces the reliability of DNA barcoding to estimate the overlooked richness of marine fish in Brazilian coast with application in conservation, ecology, systematics and fisheries.     

The Hemiptera (Insecta) of Canada: Constructing a Reference Library of DNA Barcodes

DNA barcode reference libraries linked to voucher specimens create new opportunities for high-throughput identification and taxonomic re-evaluations. This study provides a DNA barcode library for about 45% of the recognized species of Canadian Hemiptera, and the publically available R workflow used for its generation. The current library is based on the analysis of 20,851 specimens including 1849 species belonging to 628 genera and 64 families. These individuals were assigned to 1867 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), sequence clusters that often coincide with species recognized through prior taxonomy. Museum collections were a key source for identified specimens, but we also employed high-throughput collection methods that generated large numbers of unidentified specimens. Many of these specimens represented novel BINs that were subsequently identified by taxonomists, adding barcode coverage for additional species. Our analyses based on both approaches includes 94 species not listed in the most recent Canadian checklist, representing a potential 3% increase in the fauna. We discuss the development of our workflow in the context of prior DNA barcode library construction projects, emphasizing the importance of delineating a set of reference specimens to aid investigations in cases of nomenclatural and DNA barcode discordance. The identification for each specimen in the reference set can be annotated on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), allowing experts to highlight questionable identifications; annotations can be added by any registered user of BOLD, and instructions for this are provided.     

DNA barcoding for the identification of smoked fish products

DNA barcoding was applied to the identification of smoked products from fish in 10 families in four orders and allowed identification to the species level, even among closely related species in the same genus. Barcoding is likely to become a standard tool for identification of fish specimens and products.     

Species identification of small fish in Xixuan Island coastal waters of Zhoushan using DNA barcoding

This study aimed to assess the fish species composition in Xixuan Island coastal waters and confirm the applicability of DNA barcoding in fish identification. Fish samples were caught with a gill net in December 2016 and in January, February, April, May and June 2017, and the fish species in these samples were analyzed and identified via both traditional morphological methods and DNA barcoding (mitochondrial 12S rRNA). The sample contained 1,357 individuals, the majority of which were Tridentiger barbatus (829 individuals). A total of 154 individuals were selected for DNA barcode analysis, and 147 sequences were obtained. A total of 35 species, which belonged to six orders and 16 families, were accurately identified. One species was identified to the genus level (Repomucenus), and only one was identified to the family level (Moridae). Most of the species belonged to Gobiidae (12 species). With the exception of those in Moridae, the identified species were commonly detected on the Zhejiang coast. The average Kimura two-parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera, families, and order and between orders were 0.15%, 4.44%, 14.96%, 20.37%, and 26.20%, respectively. The intraspecific K2P distance was markedly greater than the interspecific distance. The A + T content (55.41%) was higher than the G + C content (44.58%). Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that individuals belonging to the same species were clustered together and could be clearly distinguished. Mitochondrial 12S rRNA can be effectively used for juvenile and adult fish identification and has good application prospects in fish species identification. The investigation and species identification of small fish collected monthly from Xixuan Island coastal waters are conducive to understanding the distribution characteristics and species composition of fish in the Zhoushan coastal area.     

Molecular characterization of marine and coastal fishes of Bangladesh through DNA barcodes

This study describes the molecular characterization of marine and coastal fishes of Bangladesh based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as a marker. A total of 376 mitochondrial COI barcode sequences were obtained from 185 species belonging to 146 genera, 74 families, 21 orders, and two classes of fishes. The mean length of the sequences was 652 base pairs. In Elasmobranchii (Sharks and rays), the average Kimura two parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera, families, and orders were 1.20%, 6.07%, 11.08%, and 14.68%, respectively, and for Actinopterygii, the average K2P distances within species, genera, families, and orders were 0.40%, 6.36%, 14.10%, and 24.07%, respectively. The mean interspecies distance was 16‐fold higher than the mean intraspecies distance. The K2P neighbor‐joining (NJ) trees based on the sequences generally clustered species in accordance with their taxonomic position. A total of 21 species were newly recorded in Bangladesh. High efficiency and fidelity in species identification and discrimination were demonstrated in the present study by DNA barcoding, and we conclude that COI sequencing can be used as an authentic identification marker for Bangladesh marine fish species.     

A minimalist barcode can identify a specimen whose DNA is degraded

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.     

DNA Barcodes for the FIshes of the Narmada,One of India’s Longest Rivers

This study describes the species diversity of fishes of the Narmada River in India. A total of 820 fish specimens were collected from 17 sampling locations across the whole river basin. Fish were taxonomically classified into one of 90 possible species based on morphological characters, and then DNA barcoding was employed using COI gene sequences as a supplemental identification method. A total of 314 different COI sequences were generated, and specimens were confirmed to belong to 85 species representing 63 genera, 34 families and 10 orders. Findings of this study include the identification of five putative cryptic or sibling species and 43 species not previously known from the Narmada River basin. Five species are endemic to India and three are introduced species that had not been previously reported to occur in the Narmada River. Conversely, 43 species previously reported to occur in the Narmada were not found. Genetic diversity and distance values were generated for all of the species within genera, families and orders using Kimura’s 2 parameter distance model followed by the construction of a Neighbor Joining tree. High resolution clusters generated in NJ trees aided the groupings of species corresponding to their genera and families which are in confirmation to the values generated by Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery bioinformatics platform. This aided to decide a threshold value for the discrimination of species boundary from the Narmada River. This study provides an important validation of the use of DNA barcode sequences for monitoring species diversity and changes within complex ecosystems such as the Narmada River.     

DNA barcoding largely supports 250 years of classical taxonomy: identifications for Central European bees (Hymenoptera,Apoidea partim)

This study presents DNA barcode records for 4118 specimens representing 561 species of bees belonging to the six families of Apoidea (Andrenidae, Apidae, Colletidae, Halictidae, Megachilidae and Melittidae) found in Central Europe. These records provide fully compliant barcode sequences for 503 of the 571 bee species in the German fauna and partial sequences for 43 more. The barcode results are largely congruent with traditional taxonomy as only five closely allied pairs of species could not be discriminated by barcodes. As well, 90% of the species possessed sufficiently deep sequence divergence to be assigned to a different Barcode Index Number (BIN). In fact, 56 species (11%) were assigned to two or more BINs reflecting the high levels of intraspecific divergence among their component specimens. Fifty other species (9.7%) shared the same Barcode Index Number with one or more species, but most of these species belonged to a distinct barcode cluster within a particular BIN. The barcode data contributed to clarifying the status of nearly half the examined taxonomically problematic species of bees in the German fauna. Based on these results, the role of DNA barcoding as a tool for current and future taxonomic work is discussed.