ScienceAsia 25 (1999) : 143-151 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.1999.25.143

Identification of Penaeus merguiensis and Penaeus indicus by RAPD-PCR Derived DNA Markers

Amornrat Phongdara^*, Wilaiwan Chotigeat, Ausa Chandumpai, Chanpa Tanthana and Piyanan Duangtong

ABSTRACT: Banana prawns found in Thailand consist of two species, Penaeus merguiensis and Penaeus indicus, which are very similar in morphology. The samples can have confused morphology suggestive of the occurrence of hybridization. In this study, DNA patterns obtained from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were compared between P. merguiensis and P. indicus. Several species-specific DNA fragments were isolated and sequenced. Three pairs of primer were designed for the PCR reactions generating single- and multi-locus profiles which could be used as genetic markers to differentiate between the two species. At least 7 haplotypes were obtained with type 1-2 found only in P. indicus, whereas haplotype 3-5 were found in P. merguiensis and haplotype 6-7 occurred in samples with confused morphology, possibly hybrids.

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Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkla 90112, Thailand.

* Corresponding author: Tel: 66-74-211 030 ext 2618 Fax: 66-74-446 656 E-mail: pamornra@ratree.psu.ac.th

Received 2 March 1999