| Summary: | Historically, the harvest and consumption of sea cucumbers have been largely restricted to Asian countries. Recently, however, the western world has witnessed a rapid growth of holothurian-related industries, and Holothuria mammata Grube, 1840 and H. sanctori Delle Chiaje, 1823 are now being commercially harvested in European and North African countries. The identification of holothurian species tends to be difficult and time-consuming, and in many cases needs experienced taxonomists. We suggest a simple non-destructive DNA sampling, using tube feet or oral tentacles from these two species. We also describe a simple and fast method of diagnose based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using restriction nuclease Sau3AI on 16S rRNA fragments. The use of RFLPs to rapidly and inexpensively identify species with no need for taxonomical or genetic expertise could prove a valuable asset for conservation and fishery purposes targeting commercially harvested animals such as the holothurians in the north-east Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.
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