DNA Barcoding: From Taxonomy to Technology A Review

Abstract

DNA barcoding emerges as a molecular method utilizing a short standardized DNA sequence from a specific gene region for identifying species expeditiously nowadays. It acts rapidly and serves as a reliable alternative to traditional taxonomy when morphological classification proves challenging or even confounding. DNA barcoding has lately found multifaceted uses in ecological research quite extensively and in biodiversity assessment, with some forensic applications. Extraction of high-quality DNA occurs, followed by amplification of the conserved gene region, mostly mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) within GenBank databases. This review highlights the historical development of DNA barcoding techniques, including meta and mini-barcoding nucleotide signatures specific to species and practical implications. Citizen science initiatives have begun contributing valuable barcode data, further democratizing research on biodiversity. DNA barcoding greatly aids the identification of cryptic species and monitors disease vectors effectively, and authenticates various natural health products rigorously. This paper provides insights into publicly available databases and highlights the need for standardized protocols to ensure reproducibility and reliability in research endeavours. A thorough literature search was done across various databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, with keywords such as DNA barcoding, species identification, and meta-barcoding. Articles published between 2002 and 2024, having undergone rigorous peer review, were included. Foundational principles and recent breakthroughs in DNA-based identification are consolidated here, highlighting current lacunae and future investigative avenues.