Intraspecific variability of 16S rDNA overlapped with interspecific divergence. Species forming well-differentiated clades in the molecular phylogenies were identical for both genes even when the closely related species were included. Relationships among species were estimated by the phylogenetic analyses of both genes, and then pairwise inter- and intraspecific genetic divergences were assessed. This study used two mitochondrial fragments, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and the large ribosomal subunit (16S rDNA), to assess whether oyster species could be identified by phylogeny and distance-based DNA barcoding techniques. As a useful tool for molecular species identification, DNA barcoding might offer significant potential for oyster identification and taxonomy. Oysters (family Ostreidae), with high levels of phenotypic plasticity and wide geographic distribution, are a challenging group for taxonomists and phylogenetics. Liu, Jun Li, Qi Kong, Lingfeng Yu, Hong Zheng, Xiaodong
Identifying the true oysters ( Bivalvia: Ostreidae) with mitochondrial phylogeny and distance-based DNA barcoding.
