Table 2. Sequencing success rate associated with different molecular markers from pearl DNA extracts of Pinctada margaritifera, P. maxima and P. radiata using methods A, B and C (Fig. 2).
| Method Aa | 16S rRNA | cox1 | ITS1 | ITS2 | Total % of successfully identified pearls |
| P. margaritifera | 86% (6/7)b , c | 71% (5/7) | 43% (3/7) | 100% (7/7) | 100% (7/7)c |
| P. maxima | 60% (3/5)c | 20% (1/5) | 0% (0/5) | 60% (3/5) | 60% (3/5)c |
| P. radiata | 83% (5/6) | 67% (4/6) | 50% (3/6) | 100% (6/6) | 100% (6/6) |
| Total % of successfully sequenced markers | 78% (14/18) | 56% (10/18) | 33% (6/18) | 89% (16/18) | 89% (16/18) |
a
in methods A and B the pearls were broken open using forceps to expose the inner material used to extract DNA. In method C the powder used for DNA extraction was obtained by drilling a 1-mm diameter hole in the pearls and the hole was enlarged internally using a 0.9 mm drill head.
b
percentage (%) of successfully identified pearls (identified pearls/total pearls tested).
c
from a total of twelve P. maxima and P. margaritifera samples analyzed in method A or in method B, one pearl that was predicted to belong to P. maxima based morphological criteria was identified as P. margaritifera according to the DNA fingerprint.