Phylogenetic Analysis of the Darkfin Hind, Cephalopholis urodeta (Serranidae) Using Partial Mitochondrial CO1 Gene Sequences
Abstract: Cephalopholis is one
of the largest genera belonging to Subfamilly Epinephelinae, which has various
species. Phenotypically, an adult C. urodeta similar to a juvenile of C.
sonnerati, since both of them have a striking trait, two white oblique stripes
or bands on the caudal fins. This work was conducted to investigate the genetic
relationships of this species using CO1 gene segment. Fish were collected from
several sampling point in South Sulawesi areas such as Sinjai and Selayar
Island. The phenotypic characterizations were identified using the FAO species
catalogue of groupers of the world, and the species that seemed to have C.
urodeta morphology then separated. Tissue samples from dorsal muscle tissue were
used as the source of DNA. Using part of the CO1 gene sequence, it can be
confirmed that our samples are exactly C. urodeta species. The 22 C. urodeta
sequences from GeneBank compared with our sequences. Interestingly, because
based on the phylogenetic tree, our sequences clustered with the other C.
urodeta sequences from several part of the world except the Arabian Sea off the
coast of India, which is a separate branch. The present study reveals less
genetic distance in C. urodeta than some other parts of the ocean as follows;
South Pacific Ocean (Polynesia), North Pacific Ocean (Northern Mariana), South
China Sea (Philippines), Andaman, west coast of Réunion Island, Arabian Sea and
Indo West Pacific (Indonesia). This has implications for understanding the
migration pattern of the species and may affect conservation policy decisions.
Author: Yanti Ariyanti, Achmad
Farajallah, Irma Shita Arlyza
Journal Code: jpperikanangg150012
