Exploring Canadian Echinoderm Diversity through DNA Barcodes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166118
• Publication Date: 2016-11-21T19:15:33Z
• Authors: Kara K. S. Layton; Erin A. Corstorphine; Paul D. N. Hebert
• Keywords: Echinoderm; DNA Barcoding; Marine invertebrates; Barcode; Taxonomic rank; Environmental DNA

DNA barcoding has proven an effective tool for species identification in varied groups of marine invertebrates including crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes and echinoderms. In this study, we further validate its utility by analyzing almost half the 300 Echinodermata known from Canadian waters. COI sequences 999 specimens were assigned to 145 BINs. most cases, discrimination was straightforward due large difference (25-fold) between mean intra- (0.48%) inter- (12.0%) specific divergence. Six flagged taxonomic investigation because them fell into two or three discrete sequence clusters. The potential influence larval dispersal capacity glacial events on patterns genetic diversity is discussed 19 trans-oceanic species. Although additional research needed clarify biogeographic resolve questions, study represents important step assembly a barcode library all echinoderms, valuable resource future biosurveillance programs.