Species identification of spiny lobster phyllosome larvae via ribosomal DNA analysis

Within the tropical northwestern Atlantic, Panulirus argus, P. guttatus, and P. laevicauda (Palinuridae family), are sympatric. Numerous studies have examined the distribution and abundance of planktonic phyllosome larvae with respect to recruitment of spiny lobsters to the benthic population, but the data are of limited use because larvae of these species cannot yet be distinguished from one another by morphological characteristics. A simple molecular method that unambiguously differentiates adults or larvae of P. argus, P. guttatus, and P. laevicauda is described: a 5' region of 28s ribosomal DNA is amplified in vitro and then cut with a diagnostic restriction enzyme to identify each species. Data are also presented from the application of this method to representative plankton tows.