This grant to the University of Hawaii Foundation supports scientists at the University of Hawaii, Hilo to examine DNA sequence data from several endemic groups of plants and insects on Hawaii Island and neighboring islands to establish the parameters under which the DNA Barcoding method succeeds as a system of species identification for recently derived (young) species. The evolutionary age gradient of the Hawaiian Islands, anchored by the young and highly species-rich Hawaii Island, renders the archipelago an ideal location for testing the utility of DNA barcoding for species of a range of known ages. The project will focus on several well characterized, endemic groups of plants and insects that possess high species richness on Hawaii Island and representative species on older islands.
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