Bar Coding and Biodiversity

Your uppity fish market swears they just sold you a filet of red snapper. But you're not so sure. How can you prove your point?

Researchers have developed a DNA bar-coding system that can distinguish one aquatic species from another, using just miniscule bits of organic material.

DNA bar codes are good for much more than providing the true identify of your dinner. According to an article in EurekAlert, "a recently published research paper by scientists from the American Museum of Natural History and the University of Canberra, among other organizations, demonstrates that this technology can be applied to all seven sea turtle species and can provide insight into the genetic structure of a widely-dispersed and ancient group of animals." Bar coding can even help scientists distinguish among, say, green turtles from Asia and green turtles from Australia.

For the average sea turtle, this kind of information could be life changing. For example, DNA bar coding can determine whether turtles have been caught in nets, whether their meat or eggs have been traded, and where each turtle species is most prevalent. It can also help researchers to better understand turtle migration and evolution.

With bar coding, it may be possible to track, find and prosecute turtle and whale poachers. It may be easier to manage conservation efforts. In the long run, in fact, DNA bar coding could be a key to survival for endangered species.

Next time you're standing in the self-checkout line, waiting to use that laser bar-code reader, think about the sea turtles. If it weren't for you and your need for speed at the shopping center, they might never have a fighting chance.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng