Barcoding helps biodiversity fly

Abstract

An essential part of good taxonomy is correctly identifying species. With correct identification, basic research objectives (e.g., correct ecological and evolutionary interpretation; ref. 1) and many practical applications (e.g., effective fisheries management, integrated pest control programs, and the conservation of biodiversity; refs. 2 and 3) are at least attainable. Without it, the odds of success in these realms are indeed slim. A recent addition to the taxonomical toolbox has been the application of DNA sequence information for both identifying and classifying an organism, much as a barcode identifies supermarket products (4, 5). In a recent issue of PNAS, Smith et al. (6) applied this increasingly common genetic methodology to cross-check species identifications of Tachinid flies in the genus Belvosia from the intensively studied Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in Costa Rica. In doing so, they have approximately doubled the local species count for these ecologically important parasitoids of herbivorous moth caterpillars and discovered that what had previously been thought to be three host-generalist species is in fact a suite of relatively host-specific cryptic species. These findings provide insight into a number of fascinating ecological and evolutionary questions and demonstrate the great potential for enlightened collaboration among ecologists, taxonomists, and geneticists who want to uncover and ultimately protect global biodiversity.