title: PCR-based identification of adriatic specimen of three scorpionfish species (Scorpaenidae, Teleostei).
abstract: The identification of three scorpionfish species, the black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758), the large-scaled scorpionfish (S. scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) and the small red scorpionfish (S. notata Rafinesque, 1810) is possible in adults by morphometry, but often problematic in juveniles due to their similar phenotypes. To develop a molecular species identification tool, first, we have analyzed the genetic similarity of the three species by a PCR-based 'blind method' that amplified bands from various locations of the genome. We found high levels of nucleotide similarity between S. porcus and S. scrofa, whereas S. notata showed a higher level of divergence from the other two species. Then, we have searched these patterns for differences between the genomes of Adriatic specimen of these three species and identified several species-specific products in two of them. For the third one a species-specific primer pair amplifying from the 16S ribosomal DNA was designed. One marker for each species was cloned, sequenced and converted into Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) markers amplified by specific primer pairs. The SCAR markers amplified robust bands of limited variability from the target species, while no or only occasional weak products were obtained from the other two, proving that they can be used for molecular identification of these three species. These markers can help the conservation and future analysis of these three species as well as their possible selection programs for aquaculture purposes.
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore Reproductive Genomics Group, Strategic Research Program, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link Singapore 117604 Singapore.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Saju
authors.affiliation: University of Pannonia Department of Animal Sciences and Breeding, Georgikon Faculty Deák Ferenc u. 16 H-8230 Keszthely Hungary.
authors.forename: Sz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Németh
authors.affiliation: University of Pannonia Department of Animal Sciences and Breeding, Georgikon Faculty Deák Ferenc u. 16 H-8230 Keszthely Hungary.
authors.forename: Réka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szűcs
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore Reproductive Genomics Group, Strategic Research Program, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link Singapore 117604 Singapore National University of Singapore School of Computing Computing 1, 13 Computing Drive Singapore 117417 Singapore.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sukumaran
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore Reproductive Genomics Group, Strategic Research Program, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link Singapore 117604 Singapore National University of Singapore Department of Biological Sciences 14 Science Drive 4 Singapore 117543 Singapore.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore School of Computing Computing 1, 13 Computing Drive Singapore 117417 Singapore.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore Reproductive Genomics Group, Strategic Research Program, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link Singapore 117604 Singapore University of Pannonia Department of Animal Sciences and Breeding, Georgikon Faculty Deák Ferenc u. 16 H-8230 Keszthely Hungary National University of Singapore Department of Biological Sciences 14 Science Drive 4 Singapore 117543 Singapore.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Orbán
authors.affiliation: University of Pannonia Department of Animal Sciences and Breeding, Georgikon Faculty Deák Ferenc u. 16 H-8230 Keszthely Hungary.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bercsényi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D017931:DNA Primers; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: 16S rDNA; SCAR; Scorpaena; fluoMEP; molecular aquaculture; molecular species ID