Simple and safe approach for molecular identification of the endangered species Epinephelus itajara

The Atlantic goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein, 1822), is considered a critically endangered species. In Brazil, the harvesting, transportation, and sale of E. itajara or it’s by products have been prohibited, but illegal harvesting still occurs. This study developed a simple, sensitive and accurate procedure for the safe identification of E. itajara by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A specific primer (16S-RYOP4) was designed, synthesized and grouped with universal primers. The efficiency of specific amplification of the new set of primers was proven using samples of E. itajara, four species of epinephelids and five other species of fish marketed in northern Brazil. This procedure can be used to inspect products sold in stores, supermarkets and fairs, especially in places of reduced scientific, technological and economic development, where there is a record of illegal fishing and selling of E. itajara.