Catfish COI DNA Barcode Database

DNA barcoding catalogues animal biodiversity by employing a short universal molecular tag of 650 bp from the 5' region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxydase I (COI) gene (Hebert et al. 2004; Pfenninger et al. 2007; Hubert et al. 2008; Tavares and Baker 2008). The present study has developed a DNA barcode database account for eight worldwide commercialized catfish as well as two wild populations of catfish species. With the aim of coordinating in the global effort of The Fish Barcode of Life Initiative (FISH-BOL), this study foresees the adoption of this technique as a notable catfish identification tool in countering seafood frauds in view of public health and conservation and sustainability of icthyofauna.