Sharp Increase of Problematic Mitogenomes of Birds: Causes, Consequences, and Remedies.

ABSTRACT: Authentic DNA sequences are crucial for reliable evolutionary inference. Concerns about the identification of DNA sequences have been voiced several times in the past but few quantitative studies exist. Mitogenomes play important roles in phylogenetics, phylogeography, population genetics, and DNA identification. However, the large number of mitogenomes being published routinely, often in brief data papers, has raised questions about their authenticity. In this study, we quantify problematic mitogenomes of birds and their reusage in other papers. Of 1,876 complete or partial mitogenomes of birds published until January 1, 2020, the authenticity of 1,559 could be assessed with sequences of conspecifics. Of these, 78 (5.0%) were found to be problematic, including 45 curated reference sequenc

SUBMITTER: Sangster G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8462277 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature