Barcoding put to the test

Two studies appear to confirm DNA barcoding as a powerful taxonomic tool. Paul Hebert and colleagues at the University of Guelph, Ontario, analyzed the single gene for cytochrome c oxidase I to distinguish 260 known North American bird species. The so-called DNA barcodes identified four new cryptic species as well.¹

The group also used the technique to demonstrate that the neotropical skipper butterfly, Astraptes fulgerator, comprises at least 10 species.² Felix Sperling of the University of Alberta calls Hebert's work "an excellent demonstration of the power of DNA barcoding to make sense of a confusing welter of ecological and color-pattern variation."

But he warns about reliance on the technique: "Some of the barcoding apologists have done a disservice to systematics and especially taxonomy by overselling the strengths of the approach." While Hebert admits a single gene doesn't tell the whole story, he says a multigenic approach would be unrealistic.

Charles ...