A short fragment of chloroplastic DNA as a "barcode" for species identification within a group of palm species, including the economically important date palm Phoenix dactylifera, has been proposed by researchers from IRD, France, and CRA-FSO, Italy. Species and hybrids recognition is important for the protection of endemic or rare species, as well as for preserving the genetic integrity of varieties. The study was published in a special issue of the open access journal ZooKeys.