Cytochrome B (Cytb)
Definition
A protein-coding gene in the mitochondrial genome used widely for vertebrate species identification. Its moderate mutation rate resolves most closely related species while remaining stable enough for reliable intraspecific comparison. High mitochondrial copy number improves recovery from degraded samples.
Related terms
- DNA Barcoding
- Species identification using a short, standardised region of the mitochondrial genome. For animals, the primary barcode marker is a 648-base-pair segment of...
- BOLD
- Barcode of Life Data System, an international curated database linking COI sequences to verified voucher specimens with collection locality and taxonomic annotation....
- BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System)
- A curated online reference database of barcode sequences maintained by the University of Guelph, Canada. Each entry includes a voucher specimen, taxonomic...
- CITES
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a multilateral treaty signed in 1973 now with over...
- COI (Cytochrome C Oxidase I)
- A mitochondrial gene encoding subunit I of the respiratory enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. Its intermediate evolutionary rate makes it the primary barcode...
- COI (Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I)
- The primary barcode gene for the animal kingdom under the Barcode of Life initiative. A 648-bp region within the COI gene is...
- Morphological Identification
- Species determination based on external or internal physical features. Reliable and cheap for adults and many late-instar larvae, but fails on early...
- Species Complex
- A group of closely related species that are nearly identical in morphology but behaviourally or ecologically distinct. Molecular methods are often the...
- Species Identification Threshold
- The minimum sequence similarity percentage at which a database match is accepted as a species-level assignment. Forensic laboratories typically require 98 to...
Explained in these topics
- Molecular Identification of Forensically Important InsectsA second mitochondrial barcode gene used as a complement or backup to COI, particularly when COI primers fail on degraded samples or when taxa-specific seconda...
- Non-Human DNA and Species IdentificationA protein-coding gene in the mitochondrial genome used widely for vertebrate species identification. Its moderate mutation rate resolves most closely related s...