title: DNA barcoding: complementing morphological identification of mosquito species in Singapore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taxonomy that utilizes morphological characteristics has been the gold standard method to identify mosquito species. However, morphological identification is challenging when the expertise is limited and external characters are damaged because of improper specimen handling. Therefore, we explored the applicability of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene-based DNA barcoding as an alternative tool to identify mosquito species. In the present study, we compared the morphological identification of mosquito specimens with their differentiation based on COI barcode, in order to establish a more reliable identification system for mosquito species found in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed 128 adult mosquito specimens, belonging to 45 species of 13 genera. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and other genera of mosquitoes and the distinctive clustering of different species was compared with their taxonomic identity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The COI-based DNA barcoding achieved a 100% success rate in identifying the mosquito species. We also report COI barcode sequences of 16 mosquito species which were not available previously in sequence databases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study utilised for the first time DNA barcoding to identify mosquito species in Singapore. COI-based DNA barcoding is a useful tool to complement taxonomy-based identification of mosquito species.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. abigail_chan@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Shizenature Pte Ltd, 3016, Eastech, Bedok North Avenue 4, #02-13, Singapore, 489947, Singapore. lipasein@yodenza.com.
authors.forename: Lee-Pei
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. chanditha_hapuarachchi@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Hapuarachchige C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hapuarachchi
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. tan_cheong_huat@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Cheong-Huat
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. pang_sook_cheng@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Sook-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. ruth_lee@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, 535, Clementi Road, Singapore, 599489, Singapore. lks9@np.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Kim-Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. ng_lee_ching@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Lee-Ching
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #06-05/08, Singapore, 138667, Singapore. lam-phua_sai_gek@nea.gov.sg.
authors.forename: Sai-Gek
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lam-Phua
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV