This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. The definitive version was published in Fishery Bulletin 106 (2008): 183-193.The identification of sea
bass (Centropristis) larvae to species
is difficult because of similar
morphological characters, spawning
times, and overlapping species ranges.
Black sea bass (Centropristis striata)
is an important fishery species and
is currently considered to be overfished
south of Cape Hatteras, North
Carolina. We describe methods for
identifying three species of sea bass
larvae using polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) and restriction fragment
length polymorphism (RFLP) assays
based on species-specific amplification
of rDNA internal transcribed
spacer reg ions. The assays were
tested against DNA of ten other cooccurring
reef fish species to ensure
the assay’s specificity. Centropristis
larvae were collected on three cruises
during cross-shelf transects and were
used to validate the assays. Seventysix
Centropristis larvae were assayed
and 69 (91%) were identified successfully.
DNA was not amplified from
5% of the larvae and identification
was inconclusive for 3% of the larvae.
These assays can be used to identify
sea bass eggs and larvae and will help
to assess spawning locations, spawning
times, and larval dispersal.Collection
of larvae at sea was supported by funding from
the National Science Foundation through OCE 9876565
to C. Jones, S. Thorrold, A. Valle-Levinson, and J.
Hare. Additional funding for this project was
provided by Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
and by Grays Reef National Marine
Sanctuary
