The Future of DNA Barcoding: Reflections from Early Career Researchers
Danielle Grant, Ole Brodnicke, Ann M. Evankow, André Ferreira, João T. Fontes, Aslak Kappel Hansen, Mads Reinholdt Jensen, Tuğba Ergül Kalaycı, Alexandra Leeper, Shalaka Kiran Patil, Sebastian Prati, Anna Reunamo, Aradhana Roberts, Rajesh Shigdel, Valentina Tyukosova, Mika Bendiksby, Rakel Blaalid, Filipe O. Costa, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Elisabeth Stur, Torbjørn Ekrem
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the use of DNA barcodes has transformed our ability to identify and assess life on our planet. Both strengths and weaknesses of the method have been exemplified through thousands of peer-reviewed scientific articles. Given the novel sequencing approaches, currently capable of generating millions of reads at low cost, we reflect on the questions: What will the future bring for DNA barcoding? Will identification of species using short, standardized fragments of DNA stand the test of time? We present reflected opinions of early career biodiversity researchers in the form of a SWOT analysis and discuss answers to these questions.