Molecular Identification and Traceability of Illegal Trading inLignobrycon myersi(Teleostei: Characiformes), a Threatened Brazilian Fish Species, Using DNA Barcode

Abstract

Lignobrycon myersi is a threatened freshwater fish species and endemic of a few coastal rivers in northeastern Brazil. Even though the Brazilian laws prohibit the fisheries of threatened species, L. myersi is occasionally found in street markets, being highly appreciated by local population. In order to provide a reliable DNA barcode dataset for L. myersi, we compared mitochondrial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from fresh, frozen, and salt-preserved specimens. Phylogenetically related species (Triportheus spp.) and other fish species (Astyanax fasciatus) commonly mixed with L. myersi in street markets were also included to test the efficiency of molecular identification. In spite of the differences in conservation processes and advanced deterioration of some commercial samples, high-quality COI sequences were obtained and effective in discriminating L. myersi specimens. In addition, while populations from Contas and Almada River basins seem to comprise a single evolutionary lineage, the specimens from Cachoeira River were genetically differentiated, indicating population structuring. Therefore, DNA barcoding has proved to be useful to trace the illegal trading of L. myersi and to manage threatened populations, which should focus on conservation of distinct genetic stocks and mitigation on human impacts along their range.

A glimpse into the genetic diversity of the Peruvian seafood sector: Unveiling species substitution, mislabeling and trade of threatened species

“…In spite of the increasing need to enforce regulations aiming for sustainable seafood industry and effective control of the trade of endangered species, few initiatives have been undertaken to evaluate the utility of molecular markers for authenticating products available from seafood retailers in South America. Most of those studies have surveyed single groups of Amazonian and Atlantic fish species from Brazil, including catfish and sawfish from supermarkets and fish markets [ 24 , 25 ], Amazonian fish from local harbors and markets [ 26 , 27 ], croaker filets from supplier companies [ 28 ], characiforms from street markets [ 29 ], and sharks from supermarkets [ 30 ]. From the South Pacific coast, reports include studies on Chilean species of commercial mollusks [ 31 ], commercial crabs from local markets [ 32 ], and salmon from supermarkets [ 33 ], while sharks from Peruvian fish landing sites [ 34 ] have also been reported.…”

Drainage rearrangements and in situ diversification of an endemic freshwater fish genus from north‐eastern Brazilian rivers

“…Moreover, the close relationship recovered among basins is mirrored by faunal distribution patterns in other fish species, including groups with different ecologies (e.g. Camelier & Zanata, 2014; Rodrigues et al., 2016; de Sousa et al., 2021). This congruence in distribution patterns gives insights about the past configuration of the NMA rivers, suggesting that historical connections may have structured communities more generally (i.e., the temporary connections are not species‐specific).…”

The fishing and illegal trade of the angelshark: DNA barcoding against misleading identifications

“…In Brazil, molecular techniques have been used to identify species of the genus Squatina (Falcão et al, 2014) and guitarfish ( De Franco et al, 2012). In addition, studies have used molecular markers to identify several species of Elasmobranchs (Mendonça et al, 2010;Ribeiro et al, 2012;Domingues et al, 2013), as well as identify fraudulent labeling of different species of fish (Carvalho et al, 2015) and species threatened with extinction (Rodrigues et al, 2016).…”