How to best utilise molecular data to support new taxa – a practical guide in less than 5000 words

Abstract

Increasingly, molecular data are used in support of new taxa (species or genera). Understanding species` delimitation is key in this process, and also an essential prerequisite for a stable taxonomy and classification as well as for conservation. The strongest approach to delineate species is to utilize the congruence between the distribution of morphological characteristics and the molecular phylogenetic tree structure. One key aspect here is the inclusion of multiple samples per species. The approach is applicable irrespective of data source, Sanger sequencing or NGS approaches. A set of scenarios and recommendations for a best practice workflow are presented here for taxonomists considering to include molecular phylogenetic data in support of new taxa.