INTEGRATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL AND DNA BARCODING CONFIRMATION OF THE DATA-DEFICIENT INDIAN HALIBUT IN CILACAP WATERS, INDONESIA: KONFIRMASI INTEGRATIF MORFOLOGI DAN DNA BARCODING IKAN SEBELAH YANG KEKURANGAN DATA DI PERAIRAN CILACAP, INDONESIA

Sugeng Hartono; Ani Haryati; Sahda Salsabila; Fajar Adiyanto; Purnama Sukardi; Gondo Puspito; Idris Abdulrahman

doi:10.24319/jtpk.17.126-138

Authors

Sugeng Hartono Study Program of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Dr. Soeparno, Purwokerto Utara, Banyumas Regency 53122, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2317-7648
Ani Haryati Study Program of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Dr. Soeparno, Purwokerto Utara, Banyumas Regency 53122, Indonesia
Sahda Salsabila Study Program of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Dr. Soeparno, Purwokerto Utara, Banyumas Regency 53122, Indonesia
Fajar Adiyanto Study Program of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Dr. Soeparno, Purwokerto Utara, Banyumas Regency 53122, Indonesia
Purnama Sukardi Study Program of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Dr. Soeparno, Purwokerto Utara, Banyumas Regency 53122, Indonesia
Gondo Puspito Department of Fisheries Resource Utilization, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, Jl. Agatis, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
Idris Abdulrahman Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kaduna State University, Tafawa Balewa Way, Kaduna PMB 2339, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24319/jtpk.17.126-138

Keywords:

DNA barcoding, Indian halibut, species identification, fisheries management

Abstract

The Indian halibut (Psettodes erumei) is classified as data deficient on the IUCN Red List. Accurate species identification is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation. This study aims to identify the Indian halibut landed from Cilacap waters, Indonesia, using an integrative morphological and molecular approach. Four specimens collected in March and June 2025 were analyzed using an integrated morphological and molecular approach. Morphological identification was based on detailed morphometric and meristic analyses, cross-referenced with standard taxonomic guides. Molecular identification involved DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene, electrophoresis, sequencing, and comparison with global genetic databases using BLAST. Morphological characteristics aligned with the description of P. erumei, though significant morphometric differences from a historical reference suggest potential local phenotypic variation. DNA barcoding confirmed the identity with 100% sequence similarity to conspecifics from other Indo-Pacific regions (GenBank accession: PX599017.1). Phylogenetic analysis further placed the Cilacap samples within a genetically homogeneous cluster of P. erumei from across Indonesian waters. This research successfully contributes to Indonesia's biodiversity database and DNA barcode library for a commercially exploited yet understudied species. It also provides essential baseline data to inform stock assessments and conservation strategies in the region.

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