Cytochrome B
Definition
A mitochondrial gene commonly used for species identification by PCR and sequencing. Short fragments amplify reliably from degraded wildlife products; species-specific primers allow direct identification without full sequencing.
- Type
- Mitochondrial gene
- Use
- PCR-based species identification
- Advantage
- Amplifies reliably from degraded wildlife products
- Alternative approach
- Species-specific primers without full sequencing
Common questions
When would an examiner use species-specific primers instead of full cytochrome-b sequencing?+
When the suspected species is already known or narrowed to a short list, species-specific primers give a faster yes-or-no result by design, while full sequencing is reserved for cases where the species is unknown or needs independent confirmation.
Why is cytochrome-b particularly useful for processed wildlife products like powdered bone or bile?+
Because it targets a short, conserved mitochondrial fragment present in high copy number, it can still amplify from products that have been ground, dried, or otherwise processed in ways that destroy longer or nuclear DNA targets.
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