Biological identifications through DNA barcodes

The foundational paper establishing DNA barcoding as a practical method for species identification. Proposes using a standardised short genetic marker (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) as a universal identification system for animals. Demonstrates that COI sequences can discriminate closely related species across diverse animal phyla. This work led to the creation of the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) and the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) initiative, which are now widely used in freshwater biodiversity assessment. Citation: Hebert, P.D.N., Cywinska, A., Ball, S.L. and deWaard, J.R. (2003) Biological identifications through DNA barcodes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 270(1512), 313-321.