DNA barcode reference library for Iberian butterflies enables a continental-scale preview of potential cryptic diversity.

ABSTRACT: How common are cryptic species--those overlooked because of their morphological similarity? Despite its wide-ranging implications for biology and conservation, the answer remains open to debate. Butterflies constitute the best-studied invertebrates, playing a similar role as birds do in providing models for vertebrate biology. An accurate assessment of cryptic diversity in this emblematic group requires meticulous case-by-case assessments, but a preview to highlight cases of particular interest will help to direct future studies. We present a survey of mitochondrial genetic diversity for the butterfly fauna of the Iberian Peninsula with unprecedented resolution (3502 DNA barcodes for all 228 species), creating a reliable system for DNA-based identification and for the detection of overlook

SUBMITTER: Dinca V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4513295 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature