Molecular Biology
 At least four genes from a number of species of Trochoidea (superfamily within which Turbo perspeciosus falls) have been sequenced; nuclear 18S rRNA, nuclear 28S rRNA, along with mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA. These genes were chosen as they have been found useful in the study of other Gastropod phylogenies (Williams and Ozawa 2006).
Such genetic sequencing can be highly useful in identifying separate species that are remarkably similar in appearance, as was the case in phylogenetic studies by Williams and Ozawa (2006).
The 18S rRNA gene is thought to be highly conserved among Vetigastropods, and is considered useful in making phylogenetic distinctions in the base of phylogenetic trees. However unfortunately it fails to distinguish between clades more recently in phylogenetic history (Williams and Ozawa 2006). A similar result is seen with the use of the 28S rRNA gene, which again is of little use at resolving recent diversifications and relationships. In order to make these recent distinctions, the study of 16S rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes is useful (Williams and Ozawa 2006)
Figure 1. Structure of a DNA fragment
(Image courtesy of Michael Ströck 2006)
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