Discovering the fish fauna of a lagoon from the southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, using DNA barcodes.

Background: Aquatic ecosystems in the tropics are typically environments with a high species richness of fishes. These systems are also among the most vulnerable in the world, threatening the overall biodiversity of tropical regions. As a first step, it is important to enumerate the species in any ecosystem to promote its conservation.

Taxonomic insights into Desbonne (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) based on morphological and molecular data.

The genus belongs to the family Panopeidae and comprises a group of brachyuran crabs native to the American continent (except for ). However, taxonomic problems related to the presence of cryptic species have made it difficult to recognize the species and advance the biological knowledge of this group. Herein, a detailed description based on morphological and molecular data is provided for the species for the first time.

DNA barcode identification of commercial fish sold in Mexican markets.

The substitution of high-value fish species for those of lower value is common practice. Although numerous studies have addressed this issue, few have been conducted in Mexico. In this study, we sought to identify fresh fillets of fish, sharks, and rays using DNA barcodes.

Improved protocols to accelerate the assembly of DNA barcode reference libraries for freshwater zooplankton.

Currently, freshwater zooplankton sampling and identification methodologies have remained virtually unchanged since they were first established in the beginning of the XX century. One major contributing factor to this slow progress is the limited success of modern genetic methodologies, such as DNA barcoding, in several of the main groups. This study demonstrates improved protocols which enable the rapid assessment of most animal taxa inhabiting any freshwater system by combining the use of light traps, careful fixation at low temperatures using ethanol, and zooplankton-specific primers.

Monitoring an alien invasion: DNA barcoding and the identification of lionfish and their prey on coral reefs of the Mexican Caribbean.

Background: In the Mexican Caribbean, the exotic lionfish Pterois volitans has become a species of great concern because of their predatory habits and rapid expansion onto the Mesoamerican coral reef, the second largest continuous reef system in the world. This is the first report of DNA identification of stomach contents of lionfish using the barcode of life reference database (BOLD).

Methodology/principal Findings: We confirm with barcoding that only Pterois volitans is apparently present in the Mexican Caribbean.

Beyond the colours: discovering hidden diversity in the Nymphalidae of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico through DNA barcoding.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of DNA barcoding in the discovery of overlooked species and in the connection of immature and adult stages. In this study, we use DNA barcoding to examine diversity patterns in 121 species of Nymphalidae from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Our results suggest the presence of cryptic species in 8 of these 121 taxa.