Abstract
DNA barcoding is based on the assertion that a short standardized
genetic sequence is enough for identification of any species. This tool
is not only used in species identification but it has remarkable uses in
food authentication, discovery of new species and in understanding
evolutionary patterns of different populations. Keeping in view the
ambiguity in morphological identification methods in fishes and new DNA
based methods that has been used widely for species identification; the
current review aims to explain all the aspects of DNA barcoding in
detail including its current global status, applications and pit faults.
Moreover, the article provides special emphasis on Indian Ichthyological
studies and status of DNA barcoding in India. The review also explains a
brief insight about DNA meta-barcoding, and elucidates the false
identification of highly divergent lineages with the example of Ticto
Barb (Pethia ticto, Cyprinidae), further suggesting need of appropriate
taxonomic works and better computational methods.