Evaluation of DNA barcode libraries used in the UK and developing an action plan to fill priority gaps (JR035)

DNA – based methods offer a significant opportunity to monitor individual species and species assemblages where appropriate, for example those that may be difficult to monitor using traditional methods. However, with the exception of some individual species such as the great crested newt, there is still much development of these techniques required before they can be used in routine monitoring.
Natural England has been developing the use of DNA-based methods for monitoring for several years and is a founding member of the Defra DNA Centre of Excellence, which was set up to encourage collaboration across the Defra group to progress the use of DNA based methods by tackling cross-cutting barriers.
Gaps in DNA reference libraries of UK species were identified by the Defra DNA Centre of Excellence Working Group as one of the main barriers preventing the further uptake of DNA based methods for environmental species monitoring.
This report is the first step towards rectifying this by providing an assessment of the current state of reference libraries available for all known UK taxa; and prioritising key taxa where obtaining DNA barcode references should be a priority.