El uso de secuencias génicas para estudios taxonómicos
During the last years, the use of molecular characters for taxonomic research has increased notably. Characters most commonly used come from restriction enzymes and sequencing of genes or particular DNA regions. Sequences present potential advantages over other molecular characters. This paper describes sampling procedures to detect DNA variation through sequencing. Among procedures for DNA sequencing, enzymatic methods are of generalized application, and the tendency is toward the use of non-radioactive markers and automated sequencing. A brief introduction to the different stages of cladistic analysis is also included, especially those required for DNA sequences. A revision of genes used in systematics is provided. The most common are the nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast ribosomal RNA genes, and the rbcL from chloroplast. Other genes under investigation are the globins and the alcohol dehydrogenase (from the nuclear genome), the cytochrome b and the transfer RNAs (from the mitochondrial genome), and the "matK" and the "rpo" (from the chloroplast genome).