Integrating barcoding and taxonomy

To date few publications from taxonomists have incorporated DNA sequences as diagnostics in their species descriptions and few barcoding papers have recognized the importance of their approach to taxonomy. Several authors have argued for the so-called “integrated taxonomy” approach but this talk will suggest that little has come from integrating DNA barcoding to do taxonomy. This lack of integration and direction are what have made the relationship between DNA barcoding and taxonomy rather adversarial. They do not need to be though, and moreover, the bringing together of the two areas could be a potent tool in addressing the taxonomic impediment. This talk will attempt to outline the nuances of an integration of DNA barcoding with taxonomy.