Abstract

OLIVARES-PAZ, Alberto; QUINTEIRO, Javier  and  REY-MENDEZ, Manuel. Authentication of Fissurella species (Mollusca: Vetigastropoda), harvested in the Chilean coast, by PCR-RFLP. Investig. mar. [online]. 2006, vol.34, n.1, pp. 113-118. ISSN 0717-7178.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-71782006000100011.

Keyhole limpets, belonging to the Fissurella genus, have been harvested along the Chilean coast since prehistoric times. Exploited species show differences in tissue consistency and organoleptic features, and so are differently appreciated by consumers. The absence of morphological diagnostic characters in some food products elaborated using limpets, fraudulent commercial labeling or designation, and the overexploitation of this marine resource, suggest the need for a species identification methodology. The method would be a tool to guarantee the correct labeling of commercial products and for future fishery management purposes. A PCR-RFLP protocol, using two restriction enzymes (HpyCH4 V and Nla III) allowed species identification within the Fissurella genus along Chilean coast, suggesting incongruence between classical taxonomy and genetic data. The specific restriction patterns are expected to be useful for species authentication in commercial products and for species identification in any phase of the life-cycle of Fissurella species

Keywords : keyhole limpets; Fissurella; PCR-RFLP; authentication; Chile.