Journal
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
Volume 29, Issue 10, Pages 566-571Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2014.08.001
Keywords
sequence biodiversity; DNA barcoding; metabarcoding; environmental DNA (eDNA); second-generation sequencing; taxonomy crisis
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Funding
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant
- Canada Research Chair program
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DNA-based species identification, known as barcoding, transformed the traditional approach to the study of biodiversity science. The field is transitioning from barcoding individuals to metabarcoding communities. This revolution involves new sequencing technologies, bioinformatics pipelines, computational infrastructure, and experimental designs. In this dynamic genomics landscape, metabarcoding studies remain insular and biodiversity estimates depend on the particular methods used. In this opinion article, I discuss the need for a coordinated advancement of DNA-based species identification that integrates taxonomic and barcoding information. Such an approach would facilitate access to almost 3 centuries of taxonomic knowledge and 1 decade of building repository barcodes. Conservation projects are time sensitive, research funding is becoming restricted, and informed decisions depend on our ability to embrace integrative approaches to biodiversity science.
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