DNA barcode reference library for the West Sahara-Sahel reptiles

Area of Science:

• * Zoology and Molecular Ecology
• * Biodiversity Informatics

Background:

• * DNA barcode reference libraries are crucial for understanding global biodiversity.
• * Knowledge of reptile diversity is limited in undersampled regions like the Sahara-Sahel.
• * The Sahara-Sahel is the world's largest warm desert, presenting significant sampling challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To create a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library for reptiles in the Western Sahara-Sahel (WSS) and surrounding areas.
• * To assess reptile species richness and intraspecific diversity in the WSS.
• * To evaluate the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for reptile identification in the region.

Main Methods:

• * Conducted 18 overland field expeditions since 2003 to collect reptile specimens.
• * Generated 760 DNA barcodes from 133 reptile taxa across 23 families.
• * Utilized DNA barcoding and barcoding gap analysis with the COI gene fragment.

Main Results:

• * Documented 84 reptile species in the WSS, representing 83% of the region's total reptile species richness.
• * Achieved a 95% success rate in species identification using DNA barcodes.
• * Confirmed the COI gene fragment's efficacy as a reliable barcode marker for WSS reptiles.

Conclusions:

• * The developed DNA barcode library is a comprehensive and reliable resource for WSS reptiles.
• * This dataset significantly enhances biodiversity knowledge in a remote and difficult-to-sample region.
• * The findings underscore the importance of DNA barcoding for biodiversity research in underrepresented areas.