Application of DNA-based Techniques for Intraspecies Differentiation of Hake Fish

Fish species identification is important as the interest of consumers in sea-fish meat is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine hake species distribution on the Czech market by the PCR-RFLP and sequencing of mt cyt b , and to develop and optimise an alternative system for determination of hake species by sequencing and/or PCR-RFLP using Pan I sequence. Among 20 samples of hake obtained on the Czech market three species were identified: North Pacific hake ( Merluccius productus ), Argentine hake ( Merluccius hubbsi ) and South Pacific hake ( Merluccius gayi ). The approaches tested in our study represent a significant tool either for the differentiation of hake species from other gadoid species (PCR) or for intraspecies identification of different hake species (PCR-RFLP, sequencing). This knowledge can be applied in detection of fish species substitution within the consumers' rights protection.