Barcoding, molecular taxonomy, and exploration of the diversity of shrews (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) on Mount Nimba (Guinea)

摘要: We tested the efficiency of cytochrome oxidase I (COI)-barcoding as a taxonomic tool to discriminate and identify sympatric shrew species on Mount Nimba (Guinea). identified 148 specimens at level using morphological characters comparison with type specimens, including several taxa from Nimba. ten morphospecies aspects genetic diversity monophyly data three mitochondrial (16S, b, COI) one nuclear marker (the breast cancer gene, BRCA). Nine were validated under phylogenetic concepts, recently diverged Crocidura buettikoferi, theresae, grandiceps. Under same our analyses revealed presence two cryptic amongst animals muricauda. then barcoding thanks commonly used phenetic methods, representing 11 potentially valid based molecular data. show that COI-barcoding is powerful for identification can be surveys. The divergence values shows gap (i.e. difference between highest intraspecific lowest interspecific values). Given only few COI sequences are available Afrotropical shrews, work an important step forward toward their enrichment. also other sequenced markers found b efficient shrews. © 2012 Linnean Society London, Zoological Journal Society, 2012, 166, 672–687.