Genetic Identification of Subspecies and Stocks of Minke Whale Meats Purchased from Korean Markets during 2005-2007

Abstract

To identify subspecies and stocks of minke whale meats purchased from Korean markets during 2005-2007, we first obtained their complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences, and compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), obtained from GenBank. From analyses with partial cytochrome b sequences (383 bp) and non-coding, partial control region sequences (463 bp), Korean mink whale meats are identified as the products from the North Pacific minke whale (B. a. scammoni). In addition, the sequences of the partial control region from these meats showed G at site no. 298 and G or A at site no. 463, and the meats appear to be originated from the J stock within this subspecies. Thus, it seems to be urgent to fulfill strict regulation measures to reduce their accidental fisheries bycatch because the J stock has been protected since 1986. Additionally, B. a. scammoni is distinct from B. a. acutorostrata, with average Jukes-Cantor distance of 2.21% in the complete control region sequence analysis (935 bp) and 1.31% distance in the complete cytochrome b gene sequence analysis, and these present results support the present subspecies classification, although further sequencing analyses with nuclear genes are necessary.