DNA barcoding: a new tool for palm taxonomists?

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In the last decade, a new tool - DNA barcoding - was proposed to identify species. The technique of DNA barcoding is still being developed. The Consortium for the Barcode of Life's Plant Working Group (CBOL-PWG) selected two core markers (matK and rbcL) that now must be tested in as many taxa as possible. Although the taxonomy of palms (Arecaceae/Palmae) has been greatly improved in the past decades, taxonomic problems remain. Species complexes, for example, could significantly benefit from DNA barcoding. Palms have never before been subjected to a DNA barcoding test.

Methods

For this study, 40 out of the 48 species of the southeast Asian tribe Caryoteae (subfamily Coryphoideae) were included. In total, four DNA markers - three plastid encoded (matK, rbcL

SUBMITTER: Jeanson ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3219495 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature