Zélia Maria Pimentel Nunes

New nuclear primers for molecular studies of Epinephelidae fishes

The EPIC strategy was used in the present study in order to develop molecular markers for Epinephelus itajara. Twelve primers were designed for six genomic regions. The results of the study provide a number of appropriate new nuclear DNA markers for future genetic studies in several endangered/overexploited grouper species. The description of these markers will also expand the number of molecular tools available for the reconstruction of the life history of the different grouper species, in particular those in urgent need of effective protection measures.

Primers for the amplification of the MHC IIβ chain exon 2 in the Atlantic goliath grouper ( Epinephelus itajara )

Abstract In the present study we designed a pair of primers to amplify the exon 2 of the MHC IIβ chain of the Atlantic goliath grouper, which is responsible for the recognition of pathogenic molecules and the regulation of the immune system. Future analyses of this region may provide an important database to understand the evolutionary processes affecting the populations of the goliath grouper, and to predict the conservation perspectives in the species.