title: Application of cytochrome b DNA sequences for the authentication of endangered snake species.
abstract: In order to enforce the conservation program and curbing the illegal trading and consumption of endangered snake species, the value of cytochrome b sequence in the authentication of snake species was evaluated. As an illustration, DNA was extracted, selected cytochrome b DNA sequences amplified and sequenced from six snakes commonly consumed in Hong Kong. Cataloging with sequences available in public, a cytochrome b database containing 90 species of snakes was constructed. In this database, sequence homology between snakes ranged from 70.68 to 95.11%. On the other hand, intraspecific variation of three tested snakes was 0-0.98%. Using the database, we were able to determine the identity of six meat samples confiscated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Ka-Lok
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Paul Pui-Hay
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: But
authors.forename: Pang-Chui
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006723:Hong Kong; D038622:Internationality; D010802:Phylogeny; D012911:Snakes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D045303:Cytochromes b