We tested the efficacy of DNA barcodes in identifying mayfly species primarily from the northeastern United States and central Canada. We sequenced a 630-base-pair segment of the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI), from 1 individual of each of 80 species to create a reference sequence profile. We used these reference sequences to identify 70 additional specimens representing 32 of the species that were in the profile. DNA barcodes correctly identified 69 of the 70 test specimens. The sole exception was an individual identified morphologically as Maccaffertium modestum that showed deep genetic divergence from other M. modestum specimens. Mean sequence divergence within species was 1%, whereas mean divergence among congeneric species was an order of magnitude greater (18%). We conclude that DNA barcoding can provide a powerful tool for mayfly species identification.
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1 September 2005
Biological identifications of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) using DNA barcodes
Shelley L. Ball,
Paul D. N. Hebert,
Steven K. Burian,
Jeffrey M. Webb
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Journal of the North American Benthological Society
Vol. 24 • No. 3
September 2005
Vol. 24 • No. 3
September 2005
Aquatic invertebrates
COI
mayfly
mtDNA
species identification