austin-identificationofrays-2012.pdf (749.85 kB)
Identification of rays through DNA barcoding: an application for ecologists
journal contribution
posted on 2012-06-01, 00:00 authored by F Cerutti-Pereyra, M G Meekan, N-W V Wei, O O'Shea, C J A Bradshaw, Chris AustinChris AustinDNA barcoding potentially offers scientists who are not expert taxonomists a powerful tool to support the accuracy of field studies involving taxa that are diverse and difficult to identify. The taxonomy of rays has received reasonable attention in Australia, although the fauna in remote locations such as Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia is poorly studied and the identification of some species in the field is problematic. Here, we report an application of DNA-barcoding to the identification of 16 species (from 10 genera) of tropical rays as part of an ecological study. Analysis of the dataset combined across all samples grouped sequences into clearly defined operational taxonomic units, with two conspicuous exceptions: the Neotrygon kuhlii species complex and the Aetobatus species complex. In the field, the group that presented the most difficulties for identification was the spotted whiptail rays, referred to as the 'uarnak' complex. Two sets of problems limited the successful application of DNA barcoding: (1) the presence of cryptic species, species complexes with unresolved taxonomic status and intra-specific geographical variation, and (2) insufficient numbers of entries in online databases that have been verified taxonomically, and the presence of lodged sequences in databases with inconsistent names. Nevertheless, we demonstrate the potential of the DNA barcoding approach to confirm field identifications and to highlight species complexes where taxonomic uncertainty might confound ecological data.
History
Journal
PLoS OneVolume
7Issue
6Article number
e36479Pagination
1 - 10Publisher
PLoSLocation
San Francisco, Calif.Publisher DOI
eISSN
1932-6203Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2012, The AuthorsUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
AnimalsBase SequenceBayes TheoremCluster AnalysisDNA Barcoding, TaxonomicDNA PrimersEvolution, MolecularModels, GeneticMolecular Sequence DataPhylogenySequence Analysis, DNASkates (Fish)Species SpecificityWestern AustraliaScience & TechnologyMultidisciplinary SciencesScience & Technology - Other TopicsFRESH-WATER CRAYFISHSPOTTED EAGLE RAYPOPULATION-STRUCTUREEVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPSSHARKSTAXONOMYUTILITYHISTORYDEEP
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC