Why Taxonomy Still Matters in the DNA Barcoding Era
This study demonstrates that consolidating the taxonomic basis of DNA barcoding libraries substantially increases their reliability for species identification in poorly explored regions. Focusing on Depressariidae moths from southern Italy, the authors barcoded 174 specimens, achieving a 95% identification success rate. The study revealed numerous species that were new to the Italian mainland and southern Italy and uncovered unique genetic lineages that may represent undescribed taxa. The results emphasise that DNA barcoding alone is insufficient without robust morphological and taxonomic research, reinforcing the importance of integrating classical taxonomy in order to overcome knowledge gaps and accurately assess biodiversity patterns.
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