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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(6)

A first approach to the usefulness of cytochrome c oxidase I barcodes in the identification of closely related delphinid cetacean species

A. R. Amaral A C , M. Sequeira B and M. M. Coelho A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.

B Instituto de Conservação da Natureza, Rua de Santa Marta, 55, 1150-294 Lisboa, Portugal.

C Corresponding author. Email: aramaral@fc.ul.pt

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(6) 505-510 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF07050
Submitted: 9 March 2007  Accepted: 8 May 2007   Published: 25 June 2007

Abstract

The DNA barcode initiative has gained particular popularity as a promising tool to assist in species identification by using a single mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). In some animal groups, COI barcodes have proved efficient in separating closely related taxa. However, several issues remain for discussion, namely how efficient this tool will be in animal groups with an unresolved taxonomy. Here, we examined COI sequences in delphinid cetaceans, a group where taxonomic uncertainty still exists. We analysed species belonging to the genera Stenella, Tursiops and Delphinus in the North-east Atlantic using cytochrome b gene sequences for comparison. We obtained values of COI interspecific genetic divergence ranging from 1.47% to 2.45%, which suggests a recent separation of the analysed taxa. S. coeruleoalba and D. delphis were the most similar species, with COI phylogenetic trees failing to separate them. On the other hand, the phylogenetic tree obtained with cytochrome b sequences correctly clustered species with high bootstrap support values. We thus consider that the application of COI barcodes in delphinid cetaceans should be done with caution; not only has the cytochrome b gene been shown to be phylogenetically more informative, but relying only on mitochondrial DNA genes alone may be problematic.

Extra keywords: bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, cytochrome c oxidase I, Delphinidae, phylogenetic inference, striped dolphin.


Acknowledgements

We thank Jennifer Learmonth (SAC – Scottish Agricultural College and DEFRA), Ángela Llavona (Coordinadora para o Estudio dos Mamíferos Mariños), Marisa Ferreira (Instituto para a Conservação da Natureza) and Zoomarine for providing tissue samples.


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