Abstract

Species identification by means of DNA barcodes depends essentially on the scope and quality of a relevant reference library. The first analysis of a large number (about 600 morphospecies) of southern European Lepidoptera (Greece: Peloponnese) shows both the advantages and disadvantages with regard to a reliable identification of Mediterranean species. We determined 946 DNA barcode sequences from 47 families, of which 929 sequences from 46 families were successfully assigned to a Barcode Index Number (BIN) in the global Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) database. A species level identification for 485 BINs representing 477 Linnaean names was successful. These taxa include 34 new records for Greece. However, 128 BINs (c. 20% of the inventory) could not be attached to a Linnaean name from referenced sequences available in BOLD. Of these BINs, 99 are new and hence represent unique records for BOLD. Intra- and inter-BIN divergences are presented and discussed. An initial and preliminary in-depth analysis of randomly selected species indicates an incomplete DNA barcode library in terms of Linnean taxa, in addition to a considerable number of probably undescribed species. It is therefore strongly recommended that the already advanced European barcode library of Lepidoptera should be supplemented with not-yet-sequenced taxa from the Mediterranean.

Highlights

  • During the last decade, considerable efforts have been made in several European countries to establish mostly national DNA barcode libraries of regional faunas, with only Finland so far having published a comprehensive reference library for the arthropod fauna [1]

  • Barcode sequences from 47 families, of which 929 sequences from 46 families were successfully assigned to a Barcode Index Number (BIN) in the global Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) database

  • The vast majority of 929 sequences was assigned to a total of 614 different BINs in BOLD, leaving only 17 sequences without a BIN

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Summary

Introduction

Considerable efforts have been made in several European countries to establish mostly national DNA barcode libraries of regional faunas, with only Finland so far having published a comprehensive reference library for the arthropod fauna [1]. In addition to national initiatives, only a few studies have dealt with larger biogeographical regions, the project on the Lepidoptera of the Alps by the Tyrolean State Museums, Innsbruck, Austria being an exception [6]. Selected larger families or superfamilies have been genetically studied on a continental scale by means of DNA barcodes, in particular the Gelechiidae [7,8], Gracillariidae [9], large parts of the Geometridae [10] and Papilionoidea [11]. Apart from a few individually funded research projects, the vast majority of the sequences have been, and are being, incorporated into the global, publicly accessible Barcode of Life

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