Jiménez-Pérez, A.A., C., Garciglia-Mercado, S.F., Flores-Ramírez, R., González-Armas, F., Galván-Magaña, M.J., Zetina-Rejón & C.S., Cardona-Felix (2025). Rapid identification of shark species on mislabelled seafood products in Mexican markets. Pacific Conservation Biology. 31: PC24068. DOI: 10.1071/PC24068.
Alexis Alejandro Jiménez-Pérez 1, Carolina Garciglia-Mercado 2, Sergio Francisco Flores-Ramírez 3, Rogelio González-Armas 1, Felipe Galván-Magaña 1, Manuel Jesús Zetina-Rejón 1 y Cesar Salvador Cardona-Felix 4
Context. Sharks have been captured globally for decades. Shark exploitation lacks appropriateregulation, hindering an assessment of captured and traded individuals. This necessitates thedevelopment of a method to quickly and easily identify shark species. Aims. We aim to standardiseand validate a rapid, effective method of shark species identification from Mexican markets.Methods. Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays were developed for theidentification of five commercially important shark species in the north-west region of Mexico:Carcharhinus falciformis, Prionace glauca, Isurus oxyrinchus, Sphyrna zygaena and Sphyrnalewini. A total of 350 samples was collected from markets and samples were labelled as ‘caz´on’(small shark), ‘marlín’ (marlin) and ‘tibur´on’ (shark). Key results. Through LAMP assay standardisation,individuals of five species were able to be identified: 17 individuals of S. zygaena, 17 of S. lewini, 24 ofC. falciformis, 26 of P. glauca and 85 of I. oxyrinchus. To validate species identification by LAMP,sequences of COI and ITS2 were obtained and analysed by BLASTn. A 100% match identity for LAMPassays and associated sequences was obtained. Additionally, the DNA limit of detection wasdetermined down to 0.1 ng/µL of shark DNA. Conclusions. These results highlight an urgent needto effectively identify commercially traded species, some of which may be endangered and toestablish species-level labelling in national policies. Implications. Application of correct specieslabels to national seafood products could encourage consumers to make responsible food choices.
Palabras clave: applied biotechnology; conservation biology; conservation genetics; forensic genetics; LAMP; management improvement; marine resources; mislabelled seafood products; sustainable trade.
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