Mitochondrial DNA sequences for forensic identification of the endangered whale shark, Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828): A Case study

Sajeela, K A and Chandran, Rakhee and Nair, Rekha J and Gopalakrishnan, A and Basheer, V S and Kizhakudan, Shoba Joe and Kizhakudan, Joe K and Lakra, W S (2010) Mitochondrial DNA sequences for forensic identification of the endangered whale shark, Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828): A Case study. In: Tools for Identifying Biodiversity: Progress and Problems. Edizioni Universita di Trieste, pp. 353-354. ISBN 978-88-8303-295-0

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Abstract

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the largest fish in the ocean, has become susceptible to over-exploitation and has a global conservation status of ‘vulnerable to extinction’ as listed by World Conservation Union in the Red list of threatened species. The increase in demand for its meat, skin and fins in international trade is a severe threat to the animal and its indiscriminate capture will have to be taken seriously as they may have a major impact in the marine ecosystem. Rhincodon typus was nominated in Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in April 2000, to enable adequate regulation of trade of whale shark products.

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