Assessing the value of DNA barcodes for molecular phylogenetics: effect of increased taxon sampling in lepidoptera.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A common perception is that DNA barcode datamatrices have limited phylogenetic signal due to the small number of characters available per taxon. However, another school of thought suggests that the massively increased taxon sampling afforded through the use of DNA barcodes may considerably increase the phylogenetic signal present in a datamatrix. Here I test this hypothesis using a large dataset of macrolepidopteran DNA barcodes.

Methodology/principal findings

Taxon sampling was systematically increased in datamatrices containing macrolepidopteran DNA barcodes. Sixteen family groups were designated as concordance groups and two quantitative measures; the taxon consistency index and the taxon retention index, were used to assess any changes in phylogenetic signal a

SUBMITTER: Wilson JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3170384 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature