A set of new primers for COI (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene) amplification in Phyllodiaptomus tunguidus (Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae)

Abstract

Although the traditional Folmer and Prosser primers enable successful amplification of COI ‘barcoding’ sequences in freshwater zooplankton species, many freshwater zooplankters including Phyllodiaptomus tunguidus are difficult to be amplified using traditional primers. Phyllodiaptomus tunguidus is an endemic calanoid copepod species, widely distributed in (sub)tropical China that plays an important role in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we developed a new pair of primers for P. tunguidus with significantly higher amplification success rate. The new primers will facilitate the recovery of barcode data from this and probably other copepod species, and stimulate further studies of phylogeny and genetic diversity on P. tunguidus.

Keywords

• freshwater copepod
• phyllodiaptomus tunguidus
• dna barcodes