Testing the potential of proposed DNA barcoding markers in nezara virudula and nezara antennata when geographic variation and closely related species were considered

Abstract

The COI gene as the core of the DNA barcoding system for animals has received significant attention. The observed wide overlap between intra-and interspecific sequence variability has led researchers to envisage the primary COI-based method. The sequences of 16S rDNA, COI, and Cyt b genes of Nezara virudula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) from 13 countries and the same sequences of N. antennata Scott were chosen as molecular markers to analyze the intra-and interspecific relationships between the closely related species in this study. The results support that Cyt b gene may be a good candidate alongside COI, when the combined factors of geographic variation and closely related species are taken into account. © This is an open access paper.