DNA barcoding confirms species substitution of Parastromateus niger (black pomfret) using exotic species Piaractus brachypomus (Red Bellied Pacu)

Abstract

Species substitution is a case of fraud practised by the fish dealers for acquiring additional profit. During a fishery survey in the local markets of Kerala state (South India), some ‘alien’ fishes were encountered which were traded along with Parastromateus niger as ‘black pomfrets’. Samples of these two groups were collected for morphological and molecular characterization (viz. COI gene). COI sequences of P. niger corroborated with the same in NCBI while morphological and molecular characters of ‘alien’ fishes corroborated with an exotic fish Piaractus brachypomus. Molecular analysis carried out using additional COI sequences of ‘pomfret’ and ‘piranha’ fishes acquired from NCBI confirmed the speciation of ‘alien fishes’ as P. brachypomus. This study reports the illegal trade of P. brachypomus as a species substituent for P. niger in Kerala and recommends the enforcement of strict laws for preventing food frauds as it could bring up serious economic breakdowns in fisheries sector.