Guwahati: DNA barcodes provide a quick, accurate, and affordable way to identify species, even those that are challenging to differentiate based on morphology or life stage.
Researchers from St Joseph University, Dimapur, have collected and identified 62 species from Tuensang which included insects, spiders, lizards, birds, and mammals, using DNA barcodes. Molecular characterization of species from the Tuensang area of Nagaland was done for the first time.
Tuensang is one of Nagaland’s largest and most eastern districts and the animal species were collected from selected areas of Tuensang Town, Tuensang Village, Hakchang Village, Helipong Village, Ngangpong Village, Sangchen compound village, Chendang Village, Chingmei village and Momching village. Field research uses different techniques, such as hand collection, pitfall traps, sweep netting, snares, catapults, and air guns.
Nagaland comes under the Indo-Burma (Myanmar) Biodiversity hotspots of the world. Though small in surface area the geographical location with varied climatic conditions ranging from tropical to temperate conditions have greatly influenced the rich floristic and faunal diversity in the state.
According to the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board, the faunal diversity of Nagaland includes about 67 common wild animals, 519 bird species 149 fish species, and several reptiles and amphibians. The great Indian hornbill is one of the most famous birds found in the State. Blyth’s tragopan, a vulnerable species of pheasant, is the State bird of Nagaland.
The authors of the study – Chaueichongla Phom and Jeyaparvarthi Somasundaram of the Zoology Department, at St Joseph University, said there has never been a molecular marker-based study of native faunal species of Tuensang areas of northeast India. “Our study aimed to characterize the diversity of animals from these areas using the DNA barcoding technique. The main objective of this study was to develop a reference library with generated barcodes” the authors said. The study has been published in Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia journal.
Molecular characterization is based on studies of both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA. In recent years, advances in molecular techniques have encouraged the application of simple and precise DNA analysis in the taxonomic field. Among the existing genome-based approaches, DNA barcoding stands as a robust strategy to identify existing species and discover unknown species through comparative analysis of sequence variation. Extensive research has shown that DNA barcoding can identify a wide range of animal species, including mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, amphibians, and crustaceans.
The species identified included 20 birds, 11 mammals, 5 spiders, 2 lizards, and 24 insects. From the present studied locations, Tragopan blythii, Sitta formosa, and Rusa unicolor were reported and declared as Vulnerable species by IUCN. These species are declining due to overexploitation, traditional Jhum shifting cultivation, and hunting activities.
Molecular markers are very useful, providing information on genetic variability among and within animal populations, and helping us to develop appropriate conservation strategies.
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“Choosing an efficient profiling technique is important, as selection of an inappropriate technique may lead to incorrect conservation actions. It is important to highlight, however, that DNA barcoding should not replace traditional taxonomy, as integrating both methods can provide a more thorough knowledge of species diversity” the authors say.
The authors say the current study has improved our knowledge of the faunal diversity of selected areas of Tuensang district, Nagaland. “Non-taxonomists, researchers, biodiversity managers, and policymakers will use the information provided to strengthen their efforts to develop efficient protective measures for this faunal biodiversity,” they said.
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