title: Choosing and using a plant DNA barcode.
abstract: The main aim of DNA barcoding is to establish a shared community resource of DNA sequences that can be used for organismal identification and taxonomic clarification. This approach was successfully pioneered in animals using a portion of the cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) mitochondrial gene. In plants, establishing a standardized DNA barcoding system has been more challenging. In this paper, we review the process of selecting and refining a plant barcode; evaluate the factors which influence the discriminatory power of the approach; describe some early applications of plant barcoding and summarise major emerging projects; and outline tool development that will be necessary for plant DNA barcoding to advance.
authors.affiliation: Genetics and Conservation Section, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. P.Hollingsworth@rbge.org.uk
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hollingsworth
authors.forename: Sean W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Damon P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Little
mesh_terms: D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000145:classification*; D051456:Gene Flow / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers