GRANT NUMBER:  NA67FD0038           NMFS NUMBER:  95-SER-055

REPORT TITLE:  Specific Identification of Billfish Fillets using Molecular Genetic Characters

AUTHOR: John E. Graves and Jan McDowell

PUBLISH DATE:  December 31, 1997

AVAILABLE FROM:  National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Region, 9721 Executive Center Drive, North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702.   TELEPHONE:  (813) 570-5324

ABSTRACT

Independent molecular markers based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were developed to provide positive identification of istiophorid and xiphiid billfishes (marlins, spearfishes, sailfish and swordfish). Both classes of markers are based on amplification of short segments (<1.5 kb) of DNA by the polymerase chain reaction and subsequent digestion with informative restriction endonucleases. No more than two restriction digestions are necessary to allow identification and dichotomous keys for both markers are provided. Limited intra-specific variation of the species-specific markers was observed in analysis of a large number of individuals of each species from a broad geographic distribution. The protocols developed in this study were validated in a blind analysis by another laboratory and the information was transferred to interested user groups in a two day workshop.