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Title: Efficacy of the 28S rDNA barcode in differentiating Caribbean octocorals
The ecological landscape of Caribbean reefs is rapidly changing as octocorals fill the void left by declining scleractinian populations. Effective molecular barcodes are necessary to accurately identify these octocorals and monitor this shifting ecosystem. We tested the efficacy of the28S rDNAas a barcode compared to the most commonly usedmtMutSbarcode on a collection of octocorals from across the Caribbean. Based on pairwise genetic distance values,28Sappeared to be more effective at differentiating species within the families Plexauridae and Gorgoniidae, whilemtMutSwas slightly more effective at distinguishing species of Pterogorgiidae. However, the standard28SrDNA primers did not amplify all species as effectively asmtMutS, especially those belonging to the genusEunicea. A shorter28Sbarcode developed for eDNA applications distinguished species as effectively as the complete28Sbarcode.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1929319 0531570
PAR ID:
10659474
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Pensoft
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Biodiversity Data Journal
Volume:
12
ISSN:
1314-2836
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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