A test of sequence-matching algorithms for a DNA barcode database of invasive grasses

Abstract

Stipoid grasses (Poaceae, tribe Stipeae) include many species that are highly invasive. In Australia, several species are problematic environmental and economic weeds, degrading pastures, injuring livestock, and invading native grasslands. An accurate means of identification is the first line of defense against importation and establishment of potentially invasive stipoid grasses. Traditional morphological identification relies on floret characters, and because these characters are rarely available in juvenile or fragmentary material, DNA barcodes provide an alternative and rapid means of identification. Although barcodes themselves are tested to ensure appropriate discriminatory variation f..