The electrophoretic patterns of proteins in the adductor muscles of four species of Japanese oysters were studied using disc-electrophoresis in order to determine whether distinct bands characterizing each taxon could be obtained. In the white part of the adductor muscle, the bands of the four species indicated much similarity. However, each species was distinctly characterized by prominent bands. In the semitransparent part of the adductor muscle, species-specific bands appeared from Rf 0.50 to 0.70. Those bands of the semitransparent parts examined in four species are as follows : Crassotrea gigas. Bands at Rf 0.26, 0.52, 0.60 and 0.66. Saccostrea echinata. A band at Rf. 0.50. Ostrea circumpicta. A band at Rf. 0.53. Ostrea denselamellosa. A band at Rf 0.62. The semitransparent part produced sharper bands and densitometric profiles than the white part. Therefore, the electrophoretic "fingerprints" obtained from the semitransparent part were more useful for systematic studies than those from the white part.
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