Chinese amphibians identified by DNA barcodes
Xinhua, November 8, 2015 Adjust font size:
hinese amphibians are now have DNA barcodes since the website "Amphibian China" came online, according to Chinese zoologists.
The website, developed by Kunming Institute of Zoology under Chinese Academy of Sciences, provides the information of Chinese amphibians for herpetologists and the public alike, according to Che Jing, researcher with the institute.
Currently, the data of 302 species of Chinese amphibians are listed on the website.
"The DNA barcodes of the all 429 Chinese amphibian species will be covered within two years," Che said.
DNA barcoding, initially proposed by Paul Hebert in 2003, is a way to identify species by a short genetic marker. The technology has been adopted in fields such as species identification and biological medicine.
The website will also apply free DNA sequencing service for endangered species, Che added. Endi