Short communicationCommercialization of a critically endangered species (largetooth sawfish, Pristis perotteti) in fish markets of northern Brazil: Authenticity by DNA analysis

•This study proved the illegal commercialization of Pristis perotteti, a critically endangered sawfish species in Brazil.•DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genes were highly effective to discriminate 12 ray and eight shark species.•This molecular approach can be used in authenticity and forensics of food products derived from this fish group.

Pristis perotteti, the largetooth sawfish, is one of most endangered elasmobranchs because of fisheries and habitat degradation. Its commercialization in Brazil is prohibited, but fresh or salted fillets of this fish can be found in markets, labeled as “sharks”. In this study we performed genetic analyses on “shark” samples from two important fishery-trading ports in northern Brazil (Vigia and Bragança). Based on partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S and Cyt b genes, 24 (55%) out of 44 samples were unequivocally identified as P. perotteti while the others comprised eight species of the families Carcharhinidae and Ginglymostomatidae. These results show that fishing surveillance and monitoring have not been effective to prohibit the commercialization of this highly endangered species.