title: Assembling and auditing a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library for European marine fishes.
abstract: A large-scale comprehensive reference library of DNA barcodes for European marine fishes was assembled, allowing the evaluation of taxonomic uncertainties and species genetic diversity that were otherwise hidden in geographically restricted studies. A total of 4118 DNA barcodes were assigned to 358 species generating 366 Barcode Index Numbers (BIN). Initial examination revealed as much as 141 BIN discordances (more than one species in each BIN). After implementing an auditing and five-grade (A-E) annotation protocol, the number of discordant species BINs was reduced to 44 (13% grade E), while concordant species BINs amounted to 271 (78% grades A and B) and 14 other had insufficient data (grade D). Fifteen species displayed comparatively high intraspecific divergences ranging from 2·6 to 18·5% (grade C), which is biologically paramount information to be considered in fish species monitoring and stock assessment. On balance, this compilation contributed to the detection of 59 European fish species probably in need of taxonomic clarification or re-evaluation. The generalized implementation of an auditing and annotation protocol for reference libraries of DNA barcodes is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Senckenberg am Meer, German Center for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB), Suedstrand 44, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knebelsberger
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Senckenberg am Meer, German Center for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB), Suedstrand 44, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Raupach
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D005060:Europe; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics*; D015723:Gene Library; D058977:Molecular Sequence Annotation
keywords: Barcode Index Number; COI; annotation protocol; hidden diversity; reference library; taxonomic reliability grade