Development of a real-time PCR assay to control the illegal trade of meat from protected capercaillie species (Tetrao urogallus)

A rapid and highly species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been developed for the detection of capercaillie DNA (Tetrao urogallus) in meat and meat mixtures. The method combines the use of capercaillie-specific primers, that amplify a 142 bp fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene, and a positive control primer pair that amplifies a 141 bp fragment of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene from eukaryotic DNA. SYBR® Green dye or TaqMan® fluorogenic probes were used to monitor the amplification of the target genes. Results obtained with the use of TaqMan® probes as detection platform increased the specificity of the real-time PCR assay in comparison with the results obtained using SYBR® Green. The proposed real-time PCR assay represents a rapid and straightforward method for the accurate identification of capercaillie that could be used by law enforcement agencies as a tool for the control of poaching and illegal trade of meat from this protected species.