title: Plant DNA barcoding: from gene to genome.
abstract: DNA barcoding is currently a widely used and effective tool that enables rapid and accurate identification of plant species; however, none of the available loci work across all species. Because single-locus DNA barcodes lack adequate variations in closely related taxa, recent barcoding studies have placed high emphasis on the use of whole-chloroplast genome sequences which are now more readily available as a consequence of improving sequencing technologies. While chloroplast genome sequencing can already deliver a reliable barcode for accurate plant identification it is not yet resource-effective and does not yet offer the speed of analysis provided by single-locus barcodes to unspecialized laboratory facilities. Here, we review the development of candidate barcodes and discuss the feasibility of using the chloroplast genome as a super-barcode. We advocate a new approach for DNA barcoding that, for selected groups of taxa, combines the best use of single-locus barcodes and super-barcodes for efficient plant identification. Specific barcodes might enhance our ability to distinguish closely related plants at the species and population levels.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, 999078, China.
authors.forename: Xiwen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossetto
authors.forename: Yitao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shilin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant
keywords: plastid-sequencing; single-locus barcode; specific barcode; super-barcode; universal