A Test of DNA Barcoding (a.k.a. DNA Taxonomy) and the Evolution of a Continental Fauna

• Applicant: Dr. Michael Balke
• Subject Area: Evolution, Anthropology
• Term: from 2006 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 17814389

This study is the first attempt to evaluate DNA based approaches to taxonomy combining larger-scale sequencing, expert morphological-taxonomic knowledge and a geographical setting, which includes most species of several lineages ¿ unlike earlier studies which treated more distantly related species only. Its outcomes will allow to critically evaluate the points of criticism raised recently. Taxonomy was said to be in crisis (Gaston & May, 1992; Godfray, 2002). Many remedies have been proposed to accelerate the rate of taxonomic description and dissemination of knowledge. Tautz et al. (2003) advocated a DNA-based approach where one or several gene regions serve as universally accessible identification tool for species, Hebert et al. (2003a, b) proposed a single-gene ¿barcode¿ approach where parts of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene serve as an identification system for all animal life. Barcoding currently is the most widely advertised approach. Preliminary studies suggested that DNA barcoding performs well (e.g. Hebert et al., 2003b; Hebert et al., 2004; Hogg & Hebert, 2004). On the other hand, general criticism of the methods was published, sometimes unfortunately politically motivated (e.g. Lipscomb et al., 2003; Will & Rubinoff, 2004) rather than providing a rigorous test. We aim to sequence and morphologically classify the Australian diving beetle fauna comprising several endemic radiations, evaluating different clustering methods to delineate groups of haplotypes which could ideally represent species. At the end of this study we expect a clear picture of what sequence data can and can not do to aid taxonomy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants