A DNA barcode for land plants

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Aug 4;106(31):12794-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0905845106. Epub 2009 Jul 30.

Abstract

DNA barcoding involves sequencing a standard region of DNA as a tool for species identification. However, there has been no agreement on which region(s) should be used for barcoding land plants. To provide a community recommendation on a standard plant barcode, we have compared the performance of 7 leading candidate plastid DNA regions (atpF-atpH spacer, matK gene, rbcL gene, rpoB gene, rpoC1 gene, psbK-psbI spacer, and trnH-psbA spacer). Based on assessments of recoverability, sequence quality, and levels of species discrimination, we recommend the 2-locus combination of rbcL+matK as the plant barcode. This core 2-locus barcode will provide a universal framework for the routine use of DNA sequence data to identify specimens and contribute toward the discovery of overlooked species of land plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Plant / chemistry*
  • Electronic Data Processing*
  • Plants / classification*
  • Plants / genetics
  • Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Plant
  • RbcL protein, plastid
  • Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase