DNA profiles of pearl samples from Pinctada margaritifera (PMR), P. maxima (PMX) and P. radiata (PR) based on four different molecular markers.

aPinctada species assignment was based on the highest BLAST score (highest query coverage and maximal base pair identity). GenBank accession number shown in brackets.bamplicon size (base pair) and maximal identity (%) of the sequence to the BLAST query.cP. fucata and P. martensii are conspecific to P. radiata on the basis of their ITS sequences [50], [51].dnot determined.esample had lower sequence quality, but the BLAST query in GenBank indicated the correct Pinctada species. The ITS2 sequences could be amplified and successfully analyzed using PCR-RFLP.fthese two accession numbers correspond to ITS2 sequences which flanked an internal sequence of ∼30 bp characterized by double peaks consistent with heterozygosity.