Pinniped penises in trade: A molecular-genetic investigation

This study was prompted by international concern over the expanding global trade in wildlife parts and derivatives. Pinniped (seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walrus) penises purchased in traditional Chinese medicine shops in Asia and North America were examined using molecular genetic techniques. A 261 basepair region of the cytochrome b gene was sequenced for 21 unknown samples 3 harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) reference samples, and 2 hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) reference samples. These sequences were compared against published sequences for pinniped species. Eleven samples from Shanghai and 1 front Bangkok were identified as harp seals and 1 Vancouver sample was derived from a hooded seal. One sample (from Hong Kong) was most closely associated with an Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), though the possibility of it originating from a Cape fur seal (A. p. pusillus) could not be discounted due to the unavailability of a reference sequence. Seven samples were not derived from pinnipeds 1 from Bangkok was identified as originating from domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and the remaining 6 were not identifiable to species clue to a lack of relevant published sequences. Of these 6 samples 2 from Canada were most similar to African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), 3 (2 from Toronto and 1 from Bangkok) were most similar to domestic cattle followed by water buffalo (Bubalis bubalis), and 1 from San Francisco was most similar to water buffalo. Our results confirm that penises from different pinnipeds are in international trade. The detection of unidentifiable species and, possibly, the Australian fur seal-a species that is not legally hunted-suggests that legal trade in seal products is serving as a cover for illegal trade. These findings are consistent with other recent evidence that the lucrative market for pinniped penises may be encouraging the unregulated hunting of seals, including protected species, and the harvesting of other unidentified mammalian species.