UK Barcode of Life: 2022 project update.
Abstract
Gaps in DNA reference libraries of UK species were identified by the Defra DNA Centre of Excellence Working Group as one of the main barriers preventing the further uptake of DNA based methods for environmental species monitoring. A Defra funded gap analysis highlighted that almost half the known UK species lack DNA barcode data. This report details the continuation of the UK Barcode of Life (UKBOL) project and progress in barcoding priority species. In particular an additional 1184 specimens of 1003 species were sequenced and added to Barcode of Life Datasystem (BOLD), and the project website (including a live data portal) was developed to facilitate a continuous gap analysis of species coverage. In addition, this report also includes a trial project directly funded by Natural England which generated barcode sequence data through genome skimming of 178 museum specimens of priority freshwater invertebrates.