Identification of fish species using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Abstract

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was investigated as a potential fish species identification method. One hundred and sixteen specimens from eight species of fish were analysed. The eight species tested were barramundi, Nile perch, john dory, mirror dory, silver dory, spikey oreo, warty oreo and smooth oreo. The predominant species tested was barramundi; 80 specimens of this species were analysed. Of these samples, 42 had been individually verified by independent sources. The RAPD profiles generated were consistent within this group. The remaining samples were retail purchased and consisted of 24 imports and eight local whole small barramundi and six fillets. All of the whole barramundi, including the imported fish, generated profiles which agreed with the verified samples. Four of the six fillets purchased did not match the typical barramundi profile, three profiles, however, were consistent with those generated for Nile perch. Species-specific profiles were also generated for the other seven species analysed by RAPD. One john dory, from five fillets tested, did not comply with the six authenticated samples. All of the RAPD profiles were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis. Forty nine RAPD profiles including those that did not match were also confirmed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) on a DNA sequencer.