Shirak, A., Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Quantitative and Molecular Genetics, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Barkai, O., Department of Maritime Civilizations, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
Lernau, O., Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
Kahanov, Y., Department of Maritime Civilizations, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel, Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
Seroussi, E., Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Quantitative and Molecular Genetics, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Ron, M., Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Quantitative and Molecular Genetics, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel

The Tantura F shipwreck, found in Dor lagoon, was dated to the Early Islamic period of Israel (8th century). Ovoid amphorae found in the shipwreck contained fish bones that were morphologically assigned to the genus Tilapia. A mini-barcode sequence of a 140-bp fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene was analyzed for DNA-based taxonomy of the ancient fish. A single transition m. 5573 G>A of Oreochromis aureus and Sarotherodon galilaeus further identified the ancient fish as tilapia. This nucleotide transition suggests that the ancient fish belonged to an extinct species or sub-species closely related to contemporary O. aureus or S. galilaeus. Within the archeological and historical context, the DNA-based identification of the ancient fish as tilapia may aid in understanding the fish industry and trade in the region during the Islamic period.