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Although DNA barcodes-based operational taxonomic units (OTUs) are increasingly used in earthworm research, the relative efficiency of the different methods available to delimit them has not yet been tested on a comprehensive dataset. For this study, we used three datasets containing 651, 2304 and 4773 COI barcodes of earthworms from French Guiana, respectively, to compare five of these methods: two phylogenetic methods—namely Poisson Tree Processes (PTP) and General Mixed Yule Coalescence (GMYC)—and three distance matrix methods—namely Refined Single Linkage (RESL, used for assigning Barcode Index Numbers in the Barcode of Life Data systems), Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), and Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP). We found that phylogenetic approaches are less suitable for delineating OTUs from DNA barcodes in earthworms, especially for large sets of sequences. The computation times are unreasonable, they often fail to converge, and they also show a strong tendency to oversplit species. Among distance-based methods, RESL also has a clear tendency to oversplitting, while ABGD and ASAP are less prone to mismatches and have short computation times. ASAP requires less a priori knowledge for model parameterisation than AGBD, provides efficient graphical outputs, and has a much lower tendency to generate mismatches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity hotspots often suffer from a lack of taxonomic knowledge, particularly those in tropical regions. However, accurate taxonomic knowledge is needed to support sustainable management of biodiversity, especially when it is harvested for human sustenance. Sundaland, the biodiversity hotspot encompassing the islands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia, is one of those. With more than 900 species, its freshwater ichthyofauna includes a large number of medium- to large-size species, which are targeted by inland fisheries. Stock assessment requires accurate taxonomy; however, several species groups targeted by inland fisheries are still poorly known. One of those cases is the cyprinid genus Barbonymus. For this study, we assembled a consolidated DNA barcode reference library for Barbonymus spp. of Sundaland, consisting of mined sequences from BOLD, as well as newly generated sequences for hitherto under-sampled islands such as Borneo. A total of 173 sequences were analyzed using several DNA-based species delimitation methods. We unambiguously detected a total of 6 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) and were able to resolve several conflicting assignments to the species level. Furthermore, we clarified the identity of MOTUs occurring in Java. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast development of aquaculture over the past decades has made it the main source of fish protein and led to its integration into the global food system. Mostly originating from inland production systems, aquaculture has emerged as strategy to decrease malnutrition in low-income countries. The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was introduced to Madagascar in the 1950s, and is now produced nationally at various scales. Aquaculture mostly relies on fry harvested from wild populations and grow-out in ponds for decades. It has recently been diversified by the introduction of several fast-growing strains. Little is known how local genetic diversity compares to recently introduced strains, although high and comparable levels of genetic diversity have previously been observed for both wild populations and local stocks. Our study compares DNA barcode genetic diversity among eight farms and several strains belonging to three species sampled. DNA-based lineage delimitation methods were applied and resulted in the detection of six well differentiated and highly divergent lineages. A comparison of DNA barcode records to sequences on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) helped to trace the origin of several of them. Both haplotype and nucleotide diversity indices highlight high levels of mitochondrial genetic diversity, with several local strains displaying higher diversity than recently introduced strains. This allows for multiple options to maintain high levels of genetic diversity in broodstock and provides more options for selective breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anguillid eels are widely acknowledged for their ecological and socio-economic value in many countries. Yet, knowledge regarding their biodiversity, distribution and abundance remains superficial—particularly in tropical countries such as Indonesia, where demand for anguillid eels is steadily increasing along with the threat imposed by river infrastructure developments. We investigated the diversity of anguillid eels on the western Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java using automated molecular classification and genetic species delimitation methods to explore temporal patterns of glass eel cohorts entering inland waters. A total of 278 glass eels were collected from monthly samplings along the west coast of Sumatra and the south coast of Java between March 2017 and February 2018. An automated, DNA-based glass eel identification was performed using a DNA barcode reference library consisting of 64 newly generated DNA barcodes and 117 DNA barcodes retrieved from BOLD for all nine Anguilla species known to occur in Indonesia. Species delimitation methods converged in delineating eight Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), with A. nebolusa and A. bengalensis being undistinguishable by DNA barcodes. A total of four MOTUs were detected within the glass eel samples, corresponding to Anguilla bicolor, A. interioris, A. marmorata, and A. nebulosa/A. bengalensis. Monthly captures indicated that glass eel recruitment peaks in June, during the onset of the dry season, and that A. bicolor is the most prevalent species. Comparing indices of mitochondrial genetic diversity between yellow/silver eels, originating from several sites across the species range distribution, and glass eels, collected in West Sumatra and Java, indicated a marked difference. Glass eels displayed a much lower diversity than yellow/silver eels. Implications for the management of glass eel fisheries and species conservation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]