DNA Barcode: Conceptual problems of a scientific analogy

Abstract

The barcode image has been imposed to refer to a mitochondrial DNA sequence that is used to measure the genetic distance between animal populations. According to the essentialist interpretation of this analogy, this measurement method would serve not only for the rapid identification of specimens or fragmentary samples of previously classified species, but also, by itself, for the discovery of new species. Integrative taxonomists have rejected this latter use of the DNA barcode method, since biological complexity precludes its precise application in recent speciation events. I will argue, however, that the method fails for conceptual and not merely empirical reasons. Even if it wouldn't have any empirical impediment, the DNA barcode could not be a method of species discovery.