Molecular identification of whole squids and calamari at fairs and markets in regions of Latin America.

The commercial importance of cephalopods has increased considerably, being an important fishing resource. However, during the preparation for commercialization of those species, they suffer the process known as "finning" which includes removing and separating the head, arm, skin or even having the body structure cut into rings, which ends up making it difficult or often prevents the identification of the species, which can lead to replacements. In this sense, the present study aimed to use the large ribosomal region, rrnL (16S rDNA) to genetically identify cephalopod species sold in markets and fairs in Latin America.