An alternative method for rapid and specific authentication of four European Donax species, including D. trunculus a commercially-important bivalve

Abstract

Seafood fraud or mislabelling has attracted much attention as it is widespread worldwide, and the scientific name of the species must be indicated on commercial products to satisfy labelling and traceability requirements. Species identification using morphological criteria is difficult to non-specialist, and shell-less specimens, processed products or larval and juvenile forms are morphologically unidentifiable. On the other hand, conventional methods, such as PCR-RFLPs, are tedious, expensive and time-consuming. As an alternative, a multiplex PCR of two rDNA regions, containing the 5S and the ITS, was developed for the identification of the four European Donax species: D. semistriatus, D. trunculus, D. variegatus and D. vittatus. The species-specific electrophoretic profiles allowed their identification in an efficient, fast, simple and low-cost method, offering a feasible application in aquaculture. These genetic markers can be very useful for traceability of the species, application in the management of wedge clam cultures, and conservation of these resources.