Genetic differentiation between the clam species Ruditapes decussatus (grooved carpet shell) and Venerupis pullastra (pullet carpet shell) by PCR-SSCP analysis

Genetic differentiation of the clam species Ruditapes decussatus (grooved carpet shell) and Venerupis pullastra (pullet carpet shell) has been achieved based on polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. A short fragment (150 bp) of the alpha-actin gene was amplified by PCR. Amplicons were denatured to obtain single-stranded DNA, electrophoresed on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel and visualised by silver staining for detection of SSCPs. Species-specific DNA band patterns were obtained for R decussatus and V pullastra, allowing clear differentiation of the two clam species. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.