Although the molecular work is complete, there is one more critical step –the analysis of the sequence results. The DNA barcodes need to be compared with the records in BOLD, the Barcode of Life Data Systems, to obtain identifications. When one of the DNA barcodes matches a record in BOLD, we can confidently assign its source specimen to that species, such as the Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus) or the Twice-stabbed lady beetle (Chilocorus stigma). In other cases, BOLD indicates that the record derived is from a distinct species, but can only assign it to a larger group like the Feather winged beetles (Ptiliidae) or Moth flies (Psychodidae).
In some cases, the barcodes do not find a match at all and are brand new entries in our DNA barcode library!