title: Prospective molecular markers for the identification of illegally traded angelsharks (Squatina) and dolphin (Sotalia guianensis).
abstract: Endangered angelsharks and a protected dolphin species are illegally traded in Brazil. In this study, we determined prospective molecular markers for detecting these species in the trade of angelshark carcasses and 'dolphin' eyeball amulets. We compiled publicly available as well as new and unpublished cytochrome b (cyt b) DNA sequences for species involved in these trades. These sequences were digested in silico using restriction enzymes. We then described prospective polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism markers for distinguishing between protected species and the species whose trade was legally allowed in these two trade groups. The prospective marker for identifying angelshark carcasses consists of cyt b PCR and digestion by BstXI, BsgI, BspMI, BsrDI, and HaeII restriction enzymes. The prospective marker for identifying eyeball amulets consists of cyt b PCR and digestion by ApoI, BtsI, HindII, BsaAI, BplI, and SspI restriction enzymes. This is the first study to deposit in GenBank cyt b sequences for the angelshark species Squatina argentina, Squatina guggenheim, and Squatina occulta. Moreover, the S. argentina haplotype is the first DNA sequence for this species deposited in GenBank.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
authors.forename: L H O
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
authors.forename: M A A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Furtado-Neto
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências do Mar - LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maggioni
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil vicentefaria@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Faria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004289:Dolphins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D056727:Endangered Species; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012754:Sharks / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D029941:Fish Proteins; D045303:Cytochromes b; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes