Identification of four scallop species using PCP and restriction analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region

Abstract

Polymerise chain reaction (PCP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PFLP) analysis of the ribosomal DNA region spinning the 5.8S RNA gene and the 2 flanking internal transcribed spacers (ITs) was performed to establish DNA-based molecular markers for the identification of the scallops Aequipecten opercularis, Chalymis distorta, Mimachlamys varia, and Pectin maximus. Chalymus distorta was distinguished simply by ITS size. Species-specific restriction patterns were found with the restriction enzyme AluI, and also with SmaI for A. opercularis and M. varia. When ITS sizes and the RFLPs obtained with SmaI were combined, the 4 scallops were also differentiated. Additional species-specific RFLPs were revealed after ITS-2 PCR amplification and subsequent digestion with Hsp92II. Using this marker, canned scallops were identified. Thus this work provides a simple, reliable, and rapid method for the identification of scallops that can be used when species-specific morphologic characteristics ire removed or when specimens ire small in size.