A molecular‐based identification resource for the arthropods of Finland
Authors: Roslin Tomas , Somervuo Panu , Pentinsaari Mikko , Hebert Paul D. N. , Agda Jireh , Ahlroth Petri , Anttonen Perttu , Aspi Jouni , Blagoev Gergin , Blanco Santiago , Chan Dean , Clayhills Tom , deWaard Jeremy , deWaard Stephanie , Elliot Tyler , Elo Riikka , Haapala Sami , Helve Eero , Ilmonen Jari , Hirvonen Petri , Ho Chris , Itämies Juhani , Ivanov Vladislav , Jakovlev Jevgeni , Juslén Aino , Jussila Reijo , Kahanpää Jere , Kaila Lauri , Jari‐PekkaKaitila  , Kakko Ari , Kakko Iiro , Karhu Ali , Karjalainen Sami , Kjaerandsen Jostein , Koskinen Janne , Laasonen Erkki M. , Laasonen Leena , Laine Erkka , Lampila Petri , Levesque‐Beaudin Valerie , Lu Liuqiong , Lähteenaro Meri , Majuri Pekka , Malmberg Sampsa , Manjunath Ramya , Martikainen Petri , Mattila Jaakko , McKeown Jaclyn , Metsälä Petri , Miklasevskaja Margarita , Miller Meredith , Miskie Renee , Muinonen Arto , Veli‐MattiMukkala  , Naik Suresh , Nikolova Nadia , Nupponen Kari , Ovaskainen Otso , Österblad Ika , Paasivirta Lauri , Pajunen Timo , Parkko Petri , Paukkunen Juho , Penttinen Ritva , Perez Kate , Pohjoismäki Jaakko , Prosser Sean , Raekunnas Martti , Rahulan Miduna , Rannisto Meeri , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , Raukko Pekka , Rinne Aki , Rintala Teemu , Miranda Romo Susana , Salmela Jukka , Salokannel Juha , Savolainen Riitta , Schulman Leif , Sihvonen Pasi , Soliman Dina , Sones Jayme , Steinke Claudia , Ståhls Gunilla , Tabell Jukka , Tiusanen Mikko , Várkonyi Gergely , Vesterinen Eero J. , Viitanen Esko , Vikberg Veli , Viitasaari Matti , Vilen Jussi , Warne Connor , Wei Catherine , Winqvist Kaj , Zakharov Evgeny , Mutanen Marko 
Published: September 2021

To associate specimens identified by molecular characters to other biological knowledge, we need reference sequences annotated by Linnaean taxonomy. In this study, we (1) report the creation of a comprehensive reference library of DNA barcodes for the arthropods of an entire country (Finland), (2) publish this library, and (3) deliver a new identification tool for insects and spiders, as based on this resource. The reference library contains mtDNA COI barcodes for 11,275 (43%) of 26,437 arthropod species known from Finland, including 10,811 (45%) of 23,956 insect species. To quantify the improvement in identification accuracy enabled by the current reference library, we ran 1000 Finnish insect and spider species through the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD) identification engine. Of these, 91% were correctly assigned to a unique species when compared to the new reference library alone, 85% were correctly identified when compared to BOLD with the new material included, and 75% with the new material excluded. To capitalize on this resource, we used the new reference material to train a probabilistic taxonomic assignment tool, FinPROTAX, scoring high success. For the full‐length barcode region, the accuracy of taxonomic assignments at the level of classes, orders, families, subfamilies, tribes, genera, and species reached 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.7%, 99.4%, 96.8%, and 88.5%, respectively. The FinBOL arthropod reference library and FinPROTAX are available through the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (www.laji.fi) at https://laji.fi/en/theme/protax. Overall, the FinBOL investment represents a massive capacity‐transfer from the taxonomic community of Finland to all sectors of society.