Improving the COI DNA barcoding library for Neotropical phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae).

ABSTRACT: Sand fly species are traditionally identified using morphological traits, though this method is hampered by the presence of cryptic species. DNA barcoding is a widely used tool in the case of insects of medical importance, where it is necessary to know quickly which species are present in a transmission area. Here, we assess the usefulness of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcoding as a practical tool for species identification, correct assignment of isomorphic females, and to evaluate the detection of cryptic diversity that occurs in the same species. A fragment of the COI gene was used to generate 156 new barcode sequences for sand flies from different countries of the Neotropical region, mainly Colombia, which had been identified morphologically as 43 species. T

SUBMITTER: Posada-Lopez L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10259023 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature