Analysis revealed minuscule DNA sequence data availability for Indian marine macroalgal diversity

Seaweeds hold immense economic potential due to multifarious applications in pharmaceuticals and everyday products. India’s 11,099 km coastline harbours a rich diversity of seaweeds in the Indian Ocean. Identifying seaweeds based on morphology is challenging due to high phenotypic and reproductive plasticity, so DNA barcoding is often used. This initiative marks the first national effort to compile relevant scientific information on DNA barcoding of Indian marine macroalgae, the current-status of knowledge and the scope for study. Despite decades of molecular research on Indian macroalgae, the resulting sequence data remain scattered across online repositories without systematic integration or quality assessment. The study is a comprehensive analysis of current barcode coverage of Indian seaweeds available on GenBank. With 207 unique sequences, only 11% of total Indian macroalgal diversity has been studied yet. The priority gaps that demonstrate direct benefits such as accurate taxonomic identification, cultivation strain authentication, and assessment of invasive species and surveillance of algal blooms, and indirect benefits like policy support, conservation planning, reference libraries for eDNA, training, and capacity building were identified. We consider that DNA barcoding at the national level would not only help in the sustainable commercial utilisation of economically important species but also in the conservation of endemic taxa. This is identified as a major research gap. It needs to be addressed through concentrated efforts by national research organisations and universities, ascertaining the availability of adequate infrastructure, and focused efforts on capacity building. A comprehensive and collaborative research program is urgently needed at the Pan-India level.