title: A comprehensive DNA barcode library for the looper moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) of British Columbia, Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The construction of comprehensive reference libraries is essential to foster the development of DNA barcoding as a tool for monitoring biodiversity and detecting invasive species. The looper moths of British Columbia (BC), Canada present a challenging case for species discrimination via DNA barcoding due to their considerable diversity and limited taxonomic maturity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By analyzing specimens held in national and regional natural history collections, we assemble barcode records from representatives of 400 species from BC and surrounding provinces, territories and states. Sequence variation in the barcode region unambiguously discriminates over 93% of these 400 geometrid species. However, a final estimate of resolution success awaits detailed taxonomic analysis of 48 species where patterns of barcode variation suggest cases of cryptic species, unrecognized synonymy as well as young species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A catalog of these taxa meriting further taxonomic investigation is presented as well as the supplemental information needed to facilitate these investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. jdewaard@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Jeremy R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: deWaard
authors.forename: Paul D N
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.forename: Leland M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Humble
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001955:British Columbia; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D015723:Gene Library; D014644:Genetic Variation; D009036:Moths / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV