Japanese Elateridae barcoding project
This project aims to construct a DNA barcode database of Japanese Elateridae (Click beetles)
Elateridae are distributed widely throughout Japan. They diverged and adapted to various environments: from shore to high mountains, subtropical to subarctic zones. Several elaterid species are designated as endangered species and some are known as agricultural pest. The Elateridae barcode database contributes biogeographic research, evaluation of biodiversity, environmental assessment, developing pesticide, etc.
Identification of Elateridae voucher specimens are conducted by three taxonomic experts, H. Ôhira, H. Arimoto and W. Suzuki. Determination of the barcodes and construction the database are mainly conducted by Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya university (Oba group) and Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Nagoya City University (Kumazawa group).
Ethanol preserved voucher specimens are deposited in the Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Nagoya City University.
As of 2011, 433 barcodes from 266 species have been obtained. This number covers the most of the principal species in the Japanese main land. We are continuing analysis to create a comprehensive DNA barcode library.
Contact information
Yuichi Oba
Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences,
Nagoya University
E-mail: oba [at] agr.nagoya-u.ac.jp
