PCR-RFLP identification of four Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis strains using mitochondrial genes

A PCR-RFLP method to confirm the identification of four Pelodiscus sinensis strains (Taihu Lake strain, Taiwan strain, Yellow River strain and Japanese strain) was developed and evaluated. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the partial sequences of mitochondrial NADH4, COX I and NADH5-NADH6 genes of 60 individuals from the four P. sinensis strains. Bgl I, Hpa II and Cla I were selected for cutting NADH4, COX I and NADH5-NADH6 PCR products, respectively, and each strain has its unique restriction band patterns. The result showed that all the 140 samples tested can be correctly identified based on the combination of the three digested fragments pattern. This study provides an effective method to distinguish the four main strains of P. sinensis.