scholarly journals DNA barcodes and new primers for nature’s pest controllers: the social wasps

Genome ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikechukwu Eugene Onah ◽  
Seirian Sumner

Globally, biodiversity is declining as a result of anthropogenic pressures, and this could lead to extinction of some species before they are discovered. The loss of insect taxa is of prime concern, given recent reports of significant declines in the populations of many taxa across the globe. Efforts to document biodiversity have met with several challenges, amongst which are the difficulties in using morphological features to discriminate species, especially in insects. DNA barcoding is a rapid and reliable method for species identification and discovery, but choosing appropriate primers to amplify the barcode region without coamplifying contaminants remains a key challenge. We developed and tested a set of primers for PCR amplification of the DNA barcode region of the COI gene in polistine wasps. We tested their efficacy in 36 species of vespid wasps, and the solitary wasp Zethus miniatus Saussure. Samples were obtained from Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe. The polistine-specific primers successfully amplified the barcode region for all polistines tested, without amplifying any Wolbachia present; they also worked with many species from the other Vespidae wasp subfamilies. The new primers are valuable for the discovery and accurate documentation of polistine wasps in the four continents.

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1138
Author(s):  
Shamila Weerakoon Abeynayake ◽  
Sonia Fiorito ◽  
Adrian Dinsdale ◽  
Mark Whattam ◽  
Bill Crowe ◽  
...  

The rapid and accurate identification of invertebrate pests detected at the border is a challenging task. Current diagnostic methods used at the borders are mainly based on time consuming visual and microscopic examinations. Here, we demonstrate a rapid in-house workflow for DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION sequencing of amplified products multiplexed after barcoding on ONT Flongle flow cells. A side-by-side comparison was conducted of DNA barcode sequencing-based identification and morphological identification of both large (>0.5 mm in length) and small (<0.5 mm in length) invertebrate specimens intercepted at the Australian border. DNA barcode sequencing results supported the morphological identification in most cases and enabled immature stages of invertebrates and their eggs to be identified more confidently. Results also showed that sequencing the COI barcode region using the ONT rapid sequencing principle is a cost-effective and field-adaptable approach for the rapid and accurate identification of invertebrate pests. Overall, the results suggest that MinION sequencing of DNA barcodes offers a complementary tool to the existing morphological diagnostic approaches and provides rapid, accurate, reliable and defendable evidence for identifying invertebrate pests at the border.


Author(s):  
J.-C. Huang ◽  
X.-Y. Li ◽  
Y.-P. Li ◽  
R.-S. Zhang ◽  
D.-B. Chen ◽  
...  

Samia ricini (Wm. Jones) and Samia cynthia (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) have been used as traditional sources of food as well as silk-producing insects. However, the phylogenetic relationship between the two silkworms remains to be addressed. In this study, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequences corresponding to DNA barcodes from 13 Samia species were analysed, and a DNA barcode-based phylogenetic framework for these Samia species was provided. Phylogenetic analysis showed that multiple individuals of a species could be clustered together. Our analysis revealed a close relationship among Samia yayukae Paukstadt, Peigler and Paukstadt, Samia abrerai Naumann and Peigler, Samia kohlli Naumann and Peigler, Samia naessigi Naumann and Peigler, Samia naumanni Paukstadt, Peigler and Paukstadt, and Samia kalimantanensis Paukstadt and Paukstadt. The mixed clustering relationship and low Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) genetic distance (0.006) between individuals of S. ricini and Samia canningi (Hutton) indicated that the cultivated silkworm S. ricini was derived from the non-cultivated silkworm S. canningi. The remote phylogenetic relationship and high K2P genetic distance (0.039) indicated that S. ricini and S. cynthia are distinct species, thus providing solid molecular evidence that they had entirely independent origins. The relationships between S. kalimantanensis and S. naumanni and between S. cynthia and Samia wangi Naumann and Peigler, as well as the potential cryptic species within S. abrerai were also discussed. This is the first study to assess the DNA barcodes of the genus Samia, which supplements the knowledge of species identification and provides the first molecular phylogenetic framework for Samia species.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Zhu ◽  
Hoi-Yan Wu ◽  
Pang-Chui Shaw ◽  
Wei Peng ◽  
Weiwei Su

Abstract Background Pheretima is a minister drug in Naoxintong capsule (NXTC), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Owing to the loss of morphological and microscopic characteristics and the lack of recognized chemical marker, it is difficult to identify Pheretima in NXTC. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using DNA techniques to authenticate Pheretima, especially when it is processed into NXTC. Methods DNA was extracted from crude drugs of the genuine and adulterant species, as well as nine batches of NXTCs. Based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, specific primers were designed for two genera of genuine species, Metaphire and Amynthas, respectively. PCR amplification was performed with the designed primers on crude drugs of Pheretima and NXTCs. The purified PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were identified to species level with top hit of similarity with BLAST against GenBank nucleotide database. Results Primers MF2R2 and AF3R1 could amplify specific DNA fragments with sizes around 230–250 bp, both in crude drugs and NXTC. With sequencing and the BLAST search, identities of the tested samples were found. Conclusion This study indicated that the molecular approach is effective for identifying Pheretima in NXTC. Therefore, DNA identification may contribute to the quality control and assurance of NXTC.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4678 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-75
Author(s):  
JIA HUANG ◽  
LU GONG ◽  
SHUN-CHERN TSAUR ◽  
LIN ZHU ◽  
KEYING AN ◽  
...  

A total of 50 (43 known and seven new) species in the subgenus Phortica (sensu stricto) were surveyed and (re)described from China: P. bicornuta (Chen & Toda, 1997); P. bipartita (Toda & Peng, 1992); P. biprotrusa (Chen & Toda, 1998); P. cardua (Okada, 1977); P. chi (Toda & Sidorenko, 1996); P. conifera (Okada, 1977); P. eparmata (Okada, 1977); P. eugamma (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. excrescentiosa (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. fangae (Máca, 1993); P. flexuosa (Zhang & Gan, 1986); P. foliata (Chen & Toda, 1997); P. gamma (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. gigas (Okada, 1977); P. glabtabula Chen & Gao, 2005; P. hainanensis (Chen & Toda, 1998); P. hongae (Máca, 1993); P. huazhii Cheng & Chen, 2008; P. iota (Toda & Sidorenko, 1996); P. jadete Zhu, Cao & Chen, 2018; P. kappa (Máca, 1977); P. lambda (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. latifoliacea Chen & Watabe, 2008; P. magna (Okada, 1960); P. okadai (Máca, 1977); P. omega (Okada, 1977); P. orientalis (Hendel, 1914); P. pangi Chen & Wen, 2005; P. paramagna (Okada, 1971); P. perforcipata (Máca & Lin, 1993); P. pi (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. protrusa (Zhang & Shi, 1997); P. pseudopi (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. pseudotau (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. psi (Zhang & Gan, 1986); P. rhagolobos Chen & Gao, 2008; P. saeta (Zhang & Gan, 1986); P. setitabula Chen & Gao, 2005; P. subradiata (Okada, 1977); P. tau (Toda & Peng, 1990); P. uncinata Chen & Gao, 2005; P. unipetala Chen & Wen, 2005; P. allomega Gong & Chen, sp. nov.; P. archikappa Gong & Chen, sp. nov.; P. dianzangensis Gong & Chen, sp. nov.; P. imbacilia Gong & Chen, sp. nov.; P. liukuni Gong & Chen, sp. nov.; P. tibeta Gong & Chen, sp. nov.; and P. xianfui Gong & Chen, sp. nov. In addition, seven new synonyms were recognized: P. acongruens (Zhang & Shi, 1997), syn. nov.; P. antillaria (Chen & Toda, 1997), syn. nov.; P. kukuanensis Máca, 2003, syn. nov.; P. linae (Máca & Chen, 1993), syn. nov.; P. shillongensis (Singh & Gupta, 1979), syn. nov.; P. takadai (Okada, 1977), syn. nov.; and P. watanabei (Máca & Lin, 1993), syn. nov. A key to all Asian species (except for the eparmata species complex) of this subgenus was provided. All currently available DNA barcode (partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene) sequences of this subgenus (217 sequences of 54 species) are employed in a molecular analysis using different species delimitation methods. The results indicate that approximately 68.5% (37 of 54 spp.) of Phortica (s. str.) species could be clearly distinguished from closely related morphospecies or cryptic species. 


Holzforschung ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Yu ◽  
Kai Liu ◽  
Liang Zhou ◽  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Shengquan Liu

Abstract Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen is a first-grade state protected plant in China. However, it is difficult to distinguish it from the closely related species Dalbergia tonkinensis Prain, which is less important in economic value, by wood anatomical features. In this study, three potential DNA barcode sequences, namely rpoC1, trnH-psbA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), were used to differentiate wood of D. odorifera from D. tonkinensis. The average quantities of DNA extracts from twigs, sapwood and heartwood were 16.3, 11.5 and 6.0 ng mg-1, respectively. The success rates for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification for three loci, namely ITS, trnH-psbA and rpoC1, were 62.5, 100 and 81.25%, respectively. The success rate for bidirectional sequencing of amplified products was 100% for all the three loci. The identification power of the three proposed DNA barcodes has been calculated by the BLAST, tree-based method and the TAXONDNA method. The interspecific differences of the trnH-psbA region were greater than intraspecific variations. Moreover, the identification power of trnH-psbA was higher than that of ITS and rpoC1 regions at the species level. Finally, the trnH-psbA region is proposed as a DNA barcode for wood identification between D. odorifera and D. tonkinensis.


Genome ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis M. Hernández-Triana ◽  
Fernanda Montes De Oca ◽  
Sean W.J. Prosser ◽  
Paul D.N. Hebert ◽  
T. Ryan Gregory ◽  
...  

In this paper, the utility of a partial sequence of the COI gene, the DNA barcoding region, for the identification of species of black flies in the austral region was assessed. Twenty-eight morphospecies were analyzed: eight of the genus Austrosimulium (four species in the subgenus Austrosimulium s. str., three species in the subgenus Novaustrosimulium, and one species unassigned to subgenus), two of the genus Cnesia, eight of Gigantodax, three of Paracnephia, one of Paraustrosimulium, and six of Simulium (subgenera Morops, Nevermannia, and Pternaspatha). The neighbour-joining tree derived from the DNA barcode sequences grouped most specimens according to species or species groups recognized by morphotaxonomic studies. Intraspecific sequence divergences within morphologically distinct species ranged from 0% to 1.8%, while higher divergences (2%–4.2%) in certain species suggested the presence of cryptic diversity. The existence of well-defined groups within S. simile revealed the likely inclusion of cryptic diversity. DNA barcodes also showed that specimens identified as C. dissimilis, C. nr. pussilla, and C. ornata might be conspecific, suggesting possible synonymy. DNA barcoding combined with a sound morphotaxonomic framework would provide an effective approach for the identification of black flies in the region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-167
Author(s):  
Arto Muinonen ◽  
Veikko Rinne ◽  
Eero Vesterinen

Dichrooscytus fervens Muinonen & Rinne sp. n. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) is described based on material collected in Finland between 2011 and 2018. A morphological description is provided along with DNA barcodes (COI gene) and a phylogeny of all the Dichrooscytus species for which a DNA barcode is available. The new species lives on Picea spp. and is still known only from Finland. A map of all the records is given, as well as an identification key of the Dichrooscytus species occurring in northern Europe.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-712
Author(s):  
Le Thi Thu Hien ◽  
Ha Hong Hanh

Cordyceps genus is a well-known traditional medicine worldwide. It contains abundant physiological active compounds that were demonstrated to perform benefit in reducing progression of cancer as well as protecting human health. Accurately classifying species in this genus is essential in order to prevent commercial counterfeit medicines. Nowadays, a taxonomic classification of species based on DNA sequences can overcome the existed limitation in identifying by using only morphological characteristics of this genus. DNA barcodes are standard short genomic regions that are universally present in target lineages and has sufficient sequence variation to discriminate species in the genus. A variety of loci has been suggested as DNA barcodes for plants, including genes and non-coding regions in the nuclear and plastid genomes such as psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, and ITS. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify selected species of Cordyceps genus using DNA barcodes. Seven strains of Cordyceps were collected. Total DNA extraction and purification, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing were performed with standard chemicals and kits. The candidate ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was amplified and sequenced. Data were analyzed using Bioedit 7.2.6 and MEGA 7 softwares. Analysis of seven obtained DNA barcode sequences of collected samples revealed that the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region provided high species discriminating power for Cordyceps genus. Accordingly, phylogenetic trees based on this DNA barcode exhibited six samples had closed relationship to Cordyceps militaris, while another specimen was the nearest neighbor to Cordyceps sinensis with average similarities at 99.82% and 99.81%, respectively. Our results support the identification of valuable medicinal plant species within Cordyceps genus.


Genome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fátima Yedith Camacho-Sánchez ◽  
A. Alonso Aguirre ◽  
Jose Alberto Narvaez-Zapata ◽  
Alan A. Zavala-Norzagaray ◽  
Cesar P Ley-Quiñónez ◽  
...  

Technological and analytical advances to study evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are realized through molecular approaches including DNA barcoding. We characterized the usefulness of COI DNA barcodes in green turtles in Mexico to better understand genetic divergence and other genetic parameters of this species. We analyzed 63 sequences, 25 from green turtle field specimens collected from the Gulf of Mexico and from the Mexican Pacific, and 38 already present in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD). A total of 13 haplotypes were identified with 4 novel haplotypes from the Pacific Ocean and 3 novel haplotypes from the Atlantic Ocean. Intraspecific distance values among COI gene sequences by two different models were 0.01, demonstrating that there is not a subdivision for green turtle species. Otherwise, the interspecific distance interval ranged from 0.07 to 0.13 supporting a clear subdivision among all sea turtle species. Haplotype and total nucleotide diversity values of the COI gene reflect a medium genetic diversity average. Green turtles of the Mexican Pacific showed common haplotypes to some Australian and Chinese turtles, but different from the haplotypes of the Mexican Atlantic. COI analysis revealed new haplotypes and confirmed that DNA barcodes were useful for evaluation of the population diversity of green turtles in Mexico.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-150
Author(s):  
Konstantin A. Efetov ◽  
Anna V. Kirsanova ◽  
Zoya S. Lazareva ◽  
Ekaterina V. Parshkova ◽  
Gerhard M. Tarmann ◽  
...  

The present study provides a DNA barcode library for the world Zygaenidae (Lepidoptera). This study reports 1031 sequence data of the COI gene DNA barcodes for more than 240 species in four of the five subfamilies of the family Zygaenidae. This is about 20% of the world Zygaenidae species. Our results demonstrate the specificity of the COI gene sequences at the species level in most of the studied Zygaenidae and agree with already established taxonomic opinions. The study confirms the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a tool for determination of most Zygaenidae species. However, some of the results are contradictory. Some cases of shared barcodes have been found, as well as cases of deep intraspecific sequence divergence in species that are well separated by morphological and biological characters. These cases are discussed in detail. Overall, when combined with morphological and biochemical data, as well as biological and ecological observations, DNA barcoding results can be a useful support for taxonomic decisions.


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