An Incomplete European Barcode Library Has a Strong Impact on the Identification Success of Lepidoptera from Greece

Peter Huemer,Marko Mutanen

doi:10.3390/d14020118

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

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

Methods

Results

Conclusion