Rapid detection of CITES-listed shark fin species by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay with potential for field use

Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 10;10(1):4455. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61150-8.

Abstract

Shark fin is a delicacy in many Asian countries. Overexploitation of sharks for shark fin trading has led to a drastic reduction in shark population. To monitor international trade of shark fin products and protect the endangered species from further population decline, we present rapid, user-friendly and sensitive diagnostic loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and effective polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for all twelve CITES-listed shark species. Species-specific LAMP and PCR primers were designed based on cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and NADH2 regions. Our LAMP and PCR assays have been tested on 291 samples from 93 shark and related species. Target shark species could be differentiated from non-target species within three hours from DNA extraction to LAMP assay. The LAMP assay reported here is a simple and robust solution for on-site detection of CITES-listed shark species with shark fin products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Fins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Endangered Species*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods*
  • Sharks / classification*
  • Sharks / genetics*
  • Species Specificity