Journal of Environmental Biology

DNA barcoding analysis of larval fishes in Peninsular Malaysia

I.A. Azmir¹, Y.B. Esa^2,3*, S.M.N. Amin^2,4, M.Y.I. Salwany² and M.Y.F. Zuraina⁵ ? 

¹School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Kuala Pilah, Pekan Parit Tinggi, 72000 Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

²Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Malaysia

³International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 71050 port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

⁴FAO World Fisheries University, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48547, South Korea

⁵Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

*Corresponding Author Email : yuzine@upm.edu.my

Paper received: 15.12.2020 ?????? ???????????????????????????????????????Revised received: 17.03.2020 ???????????? ????????????????????????????Accepted: 14.08.2020

Abstract

Aim: To identify fish larvae to species level by DNA barcoding method using the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase I (COI) gene. The lack of species identification work on fish larvae in Peninsular Malaysia has warrant this study to be conducted.

Methodology: Identification of fish larvae species from mangrove areas of Pendas Johor, Matang Perak, Pekan Pahang and Setiu Terengganu was conducted. Samples were collected from April 2015 to September 2015 using a bongo net, towed at a depth of about 0.5 m from the surface for 5 min against the tidal flow. From the total of 354 fish larvae collected, a representative of 177 fish larvae was selected and sequenced using COI gene.

Results: Results from BLAST and BOLDSYSTEM search showed all sequences had high percentage identity index and similarity (90% to 100%). Fish larvae were identified through phylogenetics analysis showing monophyletic status between query sequences with reference sequences obtained from own collection and GenBank. The Sillago vittata and Sillago sihama sequences was found to be in separate clusters despite their similar genus. A few strong match of specimens from different genus was found with high bootstrap value (n>90%) through Neighbour-Joining (NJ) and Maximum-likelihood (ML) analysis e.g the Paramugil parmatus with Liza melinoptera (NJ =100%, ML = 99%) and Pseudogobius oligactis with Eugnathogobius oligactis (NJ = 92%, ML? 94%).

Interpretation: Identification of fish larvae were best conducted with the aid of molecular method, DNA barcoding in particular rather than comparative taxonomical studies alone that able to identify fish larvae sample to genus level at best.

Key words: Cytochrome c Oxidase I (COI) gene, DNA barcoding, Fish larvae, Mangroves, Peninsular Malaysia, Phylogenetic

Copyright ? 2020 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).