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Nature 421, 122-124 (9 January 2003) | doi:10.1038/421122a
Molecular systematics: Counting angels with DNA
Mark Blaxter
Abstract
It is impossible to describe biological diversity with traditional approaches. Molecular methods are the way forward — especially, perhaps, in the form of DNA barcodes.
For 200 years taxonomists have recognized two living species of elephant, the African and the Indian. According to molecular evidence, however, this understanding is wrong1, 2.
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