Authors:
Barcode of Wildlife Project (BWP), Mexico
Author 1: Virginia León-Règagnon*
Author 2: María Guadalupe Velarde-Aguilar
Institution:
The Institute of Biology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (IBUNAM)
Abstract:
The “Barcode of Wildlife Project (BWP) –Mexico” is aimed to develop a DNA barcode system
that will serve as a support tool for the Mexican CITES Enforcement Authority (PROFEPA) for
the proper identification of specimens of CITES-listed species —and other associated species—
subject to international trade. The Project’s National Council is comprised by representatives
from: the three Mexican CITES Authorities (DGVS-SEMARNAT, Management Authority;
CONABIO, Scientific Authority; and PROFEPA); the Office of the General Prosecutor (PGR);
the Scientific Division of the Federal Police; and MEXBOL of CONACYT (comprised by
ECOSUR, CIBNOR, and IBUNAM). So far, the list of 200 priority species to be included in the
DNA reference library has been established, in addition to the list of more than 800 species
associated to them; likewise, the construction of said reference library has begun under the
agreed standardized protocols to sample, package, process and sequence the tissues.
Rationale:
The benefits of this Project include: the fast and inexpensive identification of specimens in
international trade; capacity building opportunities; and infrastructure improvement in national
collections, molecular biology laboratories for the elaboration of the DNA reference library; but
most importantly, the project will provide the Mexican CITES Enforcement Authority
(PROFEPA) with an additional support tool in the control of trans boundary movements of both
CITES-listed species and those listed under the Mexican Official Standard NOM-059SEMARNAT-2010.