DNA Barcoding for Species Identification

Taxonomy & Systematics 2003

Discoverers: Paul Hebert

Overview

Proposal that a short standardised DNA sequence (cytochrome c oxidase I) can serve as a species-level identifier for animals, analogous to a barcode.

Significance

Provided a rapid, scalable method for species identification accessible to non-specialists, accelerating biodiversity surveys and detection of cryptic species.

Methodology

Sequencing of a 648-bp region of the COI gene across diverse animal taxa, demonstrating species-level discrimination.

Impact