title: DNA barcoding of an invasive mammal species, the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus; E. Geoffroy Saint-Hillaire 1818) in the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of DNA barcodes has been proposed as a promising tool for identifying species. The efficacy of this tool for invasive species requires further exploration. The species status of the small Indian mongoose, an exotic invasive in several parts of the world, has been contentious due to morphological similarity with its congeners in its natural habitat. Although the small Indian mongoose is recognized as Herpestes javanicus, this nomenclature has been used interchangeably with Herpestes auropunctatus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we demonstrate the utility of using DNA barcoding approaches with mtDNA cytochrome b to discriminate between the two species and other sympatric members of the genus Herpestes (Herpestes naso, Herpestes urva, and Herpestes edwardsii). Using the diagnostic DNA positions we obtain, we can identity specimens of nonnative populations of the small Indian mongoose from the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands to their species of origin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A singe diagnostic site accomplishes the identification of H. javanicus versus H. auropunctatus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that the nonnative mongoose populations from the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands are H. auropunctatus, and not H. javanicus.
authors: Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.
authors: Chanda E
authors: CE
authors: Bennett
authors: Byron S
authors: BS
authors: Wilson
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Desalle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017691:Caribbean Region; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods*; D006254:Hawaii; D008988:Herpestidae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D058865:Introduced Species; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity