Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a short fragment of the cytochrome b gene for identification of flatfish species

Restriction site analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from a conserved region of the cytochrome b gene has been used for the specific identification of sole (Solea solea), European plaice (Pleuronectes platess a), flounder (Platichthys flesus), and Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hipp oglossoides). PCR amplification of the cytochrome b gene using a universal primer together with a primer specifically designed as a part of this study produced a 201-bp fragment in all species analyzed. Digestions of the PCR products with Sau3Al, BsmAl, Rsa1, and Mn/l endonucleases, followed by agar ose gel electrophoresis of the digested PCR products, yielded specific prof iles that enabled direct identification of each species analyzed.