A DNA barcoding framework for taxonomic verification in the Darwin Tree of Life Project

作者：Alex D. Twyford, Jordan Beasley, Ian Barnes, Heather Allen, Freja Azzopardi, David Bell, Mark Blaxter, Gavin R. Broad, Lucía Campos, Darren Choonea, Liam M Crowley, Piotr Cuber, Michael Cunliffe, Alexandra Dombrowski, Brian Douglas, Laura L. Forrest, Ester Gaya, Clementine Greeves, Claire Griffin, Joanna Harley, Michelle Hart, Peter W. H. Holland, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Inez Januszczak, Amanda Jones, Paul Kersey, Estelle Kilias, Mara Lawniczak, Owen T. Lewis, Sahr Mian, Alice Minotto, Raju Misra, Peter O. Mulhair, Lyndall Pereira da Conceicoa, Benjamin Price, Silvia Salatino, Felix Shaw, Olga Sivell, Laura Sivess, R. Uhl, Kieran Woof · 发表于：Wellcome Open Research · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.12688/wellcomeopenres.21143.1 · 被引用次数：737 · 研究领域：Species Distribution and Climate Change、Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy、Genetic diversity and population structure

Biodiversity genomics research requires reliable organismal identification, which can be difficult based on morphology alone. DNA-based identification using DNA barcoding can provide confirmation of species identity and resolve taxonomic issues but is rarely used in studies generating reference genomes. Here, we describe the development and implementation of DNA barcoding for the Darwin Tree of Life Project (DToL), which aims to sequence and assemble high quality reference genomes for all eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland. We present a standardised framework for DNA barcode sequencing and data interpretation that is then adapted for diverse organismal groups. DNA barcoding data from over 12,000 DToL specimens has identified up to 20% of samples requiring additional verification, with 2% of seed plants and 3.5% of animal specimens subsequently having their names changed. We also make recommendations for future developments using new sequencing approaches and streamlined bioinformatic approaches.