384
previous studies, such as Silva-Oliveira et al. (2008), Craig et al. (2009a, b) and
Benevides et al. (2014), but evaluating a different marker.
In addition to the studies involving phylogeny and population genetics aspects,
some efforts to increase the available number of specific molecular markers for
epinephelids were conducted in the Americas.
Ramírez et al. (2006) characterized nine microsatellite loci and identified 60
genomic regions containing microsatellites in the red hind grouper, Epinephelus
guttatus. Nine loci were highly polymorphic and were tested for 16 other groupers
in the genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca.
Silva-Oliveira et al. (2013) performed new nuclear primers for molecular studies
of Epinephelidae fishes. EPIC strategy was used and twelve primers were designed
for six genomic regions. The results of the study provide a number of appropriate
new nuclear DNA markers for future genetic studies in several endangered/overexploited grouper species.
Seyoum et al. (2013) isolated and characterized 29 microsatellites (nuclear
markers) for the endangered Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and the
Pacific Goliath Grouper (E. quinquefasciatus).
Concerning the Forensic Genetics applied to the species conservation, some
advance was obtained in Brazil. Since public policies led to a moratorium of Atlantic
Goliath Grouper in 2002, capture of the species is controlled. However, only in
2014 it was included as critically endangered (CR) in the list of threatened species
(MMA 2014). In 2015, Brazilian government approved a National Conservation
Plan for the endangered and socioeconomic important species of Mangrove
Ecosystems (PAN Manguezal; MMA 2015), which included the Atlantic Goliath
Grouper.
Even with the creation of the PAN, the main difficulty found by the environmental agencies is the supervision of illegal fishing activities. Brazilian coast is considerable length and the environmental organizations lack human and financial
resources for law enforcement.
Molecular tools have been used to contribute in this hard task. DNA barcoding,
proposed by Hebert et al. (2003), has proved able to help agencies deal with global
putative illegal activities and for emitting seafood products authentications
(Cawthorn et al. 2012, Di Pinto et al. 2013, Palmeira et al. 2013, Ferrito et al. 2016).
The method is based on the sequencing of a unique mtDNA region to identify the
correct species.
Examples that can be quoted for Epinephelus itajara: Torres et al. (2013) used
DNA barcoding for the Atlantic Goliath Grouper and other exploited epinephelids
in order to provide procedures for DNA authentication and support illegal fishing
activities surveillance.
Damasceno et al. (2016) developed specific primers from COI gene, to be used
in multiplex PCR for identification of nine species of Epinephelidae: Epinephelus
itajara, E. quinquefasciatus, E. morio, Hyporthodus flavolimbatus, H. niveatus,
Mycteroperca acutirostris, M. bonaci, M. marginata, and M. microlepis. The multiplex PCR technique can be a low cost, rapid, safe, and a practical method to help the
regulation and management of endangered marine fish species.
M. Hostim-Silva et al.
previous studies, such as Silva-Oliveira et al. (2008), Craig et al. (2009a, b) and
Benevides et al. (2014), but evaluating a different marker.
In addition to the studies involving phylogeny and population genetics aspects,
some efforts to increase the available number of specific molecular markers for
epinephelids were conducted in the Americas.
Ramírez et al. (2006) characterized nine microsatellite loci and identified 60
genomic regions containing microsatellites in the red hind grouper, Epinephelus
guttatus. Nine loci were highly polymorphic and were tested for 16 other groupers
in the genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca.
Silva-Oliveira et al. (2013) performed new nuclear primers for molecular studies
of Epinephelidae fishes. EPIC strategy was used and twelve primers were designed
for six genomic regions. The results of the study provide a number of appropriate
new nuclear DNA markers for future genetic studies in several endangered/overexploited grouper species.
Seyoum et al. (2013) isolated and characterized 29 microsatellites (nuclear
markers) for the endangered Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and the
Pacific Goliath Grouper (E. quinquefasciatus).
Concerning the Forensic Genetics applied to the species conservation, some
advance was obtained in Brazil. Since public policies led to a moratorium of Atlantic
Goliath Grouper in 2002, capture of the species is controlled. However, only in
2014 it was included as critically endangered (CR) in the list of threatened species
(MMA 2014). In 2015, Brazilian government approved a National Conservation
Plan for the endangered and socioeconomic important species of Mangrove
Ecosystems (PAN Manguezal; MMA 2015), which included the Atlantic Goliath
Grouper.
Even with the creation of the PAN, the main difficulty found by the environmental agencies is the supervision of illegal fishing activities. Brazilian coast is considerable length and the environmental organizations lack human and financial
resources for law enforcement.
Molecular tools have been used to contribute in this hard task. DNA barcoding,
proposed by Hebert et al. (2003), has proved able to help agencies deal with global
putative illegal activities and for emitting seafood products authentications
(Cawthorn et al. 2012, Di Pinto et al. 2013, Palmeira et al. 2013, Ferrito et al. 2016).
The method is based on the sequencing of a unique mtDNA region to identify the
correct species.
Examples that can be quoted for Epinephelus itajara: Torres et al. (2013) used
DNA barcoding for the Atlantic Goliath Grouper and other exploited epinephelids
in order to provide procedures for DNA authentication and support illegal fishing
activities surveillance.
Damasceno et al. (2016) developed specific primers from COI gene, to be used
in multiplex PCR for identification of nine species of Epinephelidae: Epinephelus
itajara, E. quinquefasciatus, E. morio, Hyporthodus flavolimbatus, H. niveatus,
Mycteroperca acutirostris, M. bonaci, M. marginata, and M. microlepis. The multiplex PCR technique can be a low cost, rapid, safe, and a practical method to help the
regulation and management of endangered marine fish species.
M. Hostim-Silva et al.