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BEST: Barcode Enabled Sequencing of Tetrads
Published on: May 1, 2014
Ten years of barcoding at the African Centre for DNA Barcoding
B S Bezeng1, T J Davies1,2, B H Daru3
1a African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Genome
|March 25, 2017
Summary
The African Centre for DNA Barcoding has built a comprehensive DNA barcode library for southern African flora and fauna. This resource supports biodiversity research, aiding in ecological, evolutionary, and conservation studies.
Area of Science:
- Biodiversity research
- Molecular ecology
- Systematics
Background:
- The global initiative for DNA barcoding aims to rapidly survey biodiversity using short DNA sequences.
- The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) gene is standard for animal barcoding.
- Two plastid genes, rbcLa and matK, are recommended for terrestrial plant barcoding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a DNA barcode library for southern Africa.
- To demonstrate the utility of DNA barcoding in ecological and evolutionary research.
Main Methods:
- Utilized established animal (CO1) and plant (rbcLa, matK) DNA barcode markers.
- Generated and contributed over 21,000 plant and 3,000 animal barcodes to the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD).
Main Results:
- Successfully created a substantial DNA barcode library for southern Africa.
- Contributed significantly to the global Barcode of Life Database (BOLD).
Conclusions:
- DNA barcoding is a powerful tool for biodiversity assessment.
- The ACDB's work supports diverse applications in ecology, systematics, evolutionary biology, and conservation.
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