TY - JOUR

T1 - Pollen DNA barcoding current applications and future prospects

AU - Bell, Karen L.

AU - de Vere, Natasha

AU - Keller, Alexander

AU - Richardson, Rodney T.

AU - Gous, Annemarie

AU - Burgess, Kevin S.

AU - Brosi, Berry J.

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - Identification of the species origin of pollen has many applications, including assessment of plant–pollinator networks, reconstruction of ancient plant communities, product authentication, allergen monitoring, and forensics. Such applications, however, have previously been limited by microscopy-based identification of pollen, which is slow, has low taxonomic resolution, and has few expert practitioners. One alternative is pollen DNA barcoding, which could overcome these issues. Recent studies demonstrate that both chloroplast and nuclear barcoding markers can be amplified from pollen. These recent validations of pollen metabarcoding indicate that now is the time for researchers in various fields to consider applying these methods to their research programs. In this paper, we review the nascent field of pollen DNA barcoding and discuss potential new applications of this technology, highlighting existing limitations and future research developments that will improve its utility in a wide range of applications.

AB - Identification of the species origin of pollen has many applications, including assessment of plant–pollinator networks, reconstruction of ancient plant communities, product authentication, allergen monitoring, and forensics. Such applications, however, have previously been limited by microscopy-based identification of pollen, which is slow, has low taxonomic resolution, and has few expert practitioners. One alternative is pollen DNA barcoding, which could overcome these issues. Recent studies demonstrate that both chloroplast and nuclear barcoding markers can be amplified from pollen. These recent validations of pollen metabarcoding indicate that now is the time for researchers in various fields to consider applying these methods to their research programs. In this paper, we review the nascent field of pollen DNA barcoding and discuss potential new applications of this technology, highlighting existing limitations and future research developments that will improve its utility in a wide range of applications.

U2 - 10.1139/gen-2015-0200

DO - 10.1139/gen-2015-0200

M3 - Journal article

VL - 59

SP - 629

EP - 640

JO - Genome

JF - Genome

SN - 0831-2796

IS - 9

ER -