DNA barcoding and traditional taxonomy unified through Integrative Taxonomy: a view that challenges the debate questioning both methodologies

Abstract

PIRES, A.C. & MARINONI, L. DNA barcoding and traditional taxonomy unified through Integrative Taxonomy: a view that challenges the debate questioning both methodologies. Biota Neotrop. 10(2): http:// www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v10n2/en/abstract?thematic-review+bn03110022010. Abstract:The taxonomic crisis, emphasized in recent years, is marked by the lack of popularity (lack of interest in taxonomy) and financial incentives to study biodiversity. This situation, coupled with the issues involved with the necessity of knowing many yet undiscovered species, has meant that new technologies, including the use of DNA, have emerged to revitalize taxonomy. Part of the scientific community, however, has rejected the use of these innovative ideas. DNA barcoding has especially been the target of numerous criticisms regarding its application, as opposed to the use of morphology. This paper aims to highlight the inconsistency of the debate involving DNA versus morphology, since there is a proposal for the integration of traditional taxonomy and DNA barcoding -the integrative taxonomy. The positive and negative points of this proposal will be discussed, as well as its validity and application. From it, the importance of morphology is recognized and the revitalization of traditional taxonomy is achieved by the addition of technologies to overcome the taxonomic impediment. Resumo: A crise taxonômica, em destaque nos últimos anos, é marcada pela falta de popularidade (desinteresse pela formação taxonômica) e incentivos financeiros direcionados ao estudo da biodiversidade. Esta situação somada às questões envolvidas com a necessidade de se conhecer as inúmeras espécies ainda desconhecidas tem feito com que novas tecnologias, dentre elas o uso do DNA, tenham surgido como propostas para revitalização da taxonomia. Uma parte da comunidade científica, entretanto, tem rejeitado o uso dessas idéias inovadoras. O DNA barcoding, principalmente, tem sido alvo de inúmeras críticas quanto à sua aplicação em contraposição ao uso da morfologia. O presente artigo visa destacar a inconsistência do debate DNA versus morfologia, pela existência de uma proposta que corresponde à união entre a taxonomia tradicional e o DNA barcoding -a taxonomia integrativa. Os pontos favoráveis e desfavoráveis dessa proposta serão discutidos assim como a sua validade e aplicação. Com ela, a importância da morfologia é reconhecida e ao mesmo tempo tem-se a revitalização da taxonomia tradicional pela aderência das tecnologias incitadas para transposição do impedimento taxonômico. Palavras-chave: biodiversidade, COI, espécie, impedimento taxonômico, morfologia.

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