Lecture 9: DNA Barcoding

Question 1

What are the advantages of DNA barcoding?

Answer 1

• Tool for the identification of unknown samples to species - Tool for resolving taxonomic relations - Tool for defining species.

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of DNA barcoding?

Answer 2

• Assumes monophyletic lineages - Disregards gene tree verus species tree issues - Assumes equal evolutionary rates among taxa.

Question 3

Define ‘DNA barcoding’.

Answer 3

The identification of the species level using a single standardised DNA fragment.

Question 4

What is the process of DNA barcoding?

Answer 4

Sampling, DNA extraction, DNA amplification, DNA sequencing, species identification via DNA barcoding.