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Molecular Genetics DNA Barcoding

DNA Barcoding and Morphological Characters of Juvenile Plectropomus (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) Caught in Makassar Strait

https://doi.org/10.20473/jipk.v17i3.72091
Muth Mainna
Master Program in Fisheries Science, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2105-710X
Nadiarti Nurdin Kadir
Aquatic Resource Management Study Program, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2837-1914
Aidah Ambo Ala Husain
Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6900-2395
Andi Aliah Hidayani
Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4541-5539
Widyastuti Umar
Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0763-6581
Abigail Mary Moore
Graduate School, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4122-3740

Corresponding Author(s) : Nadiarti Nurdin Kadir

nadiarti@unhas.ac.id

Jurnal Ilmiah Perikanan dan Kelautan, 2025: IN PRESS ISSUE (JUST ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT, 2025)

Abstract

Graphical Abstract



 


Highlight Research 



  1. Integrated DNA barcoding and morphological variations can improve the identification of grouper species.

  2. DNA barcoding confirms the morphological identification of Plectropomus (98-100% similar).

  3. High intraspecies genetic diversity revealed within Plectropomus in Makassar Strait.

  4. Potential cryptic species identified within Plectropomus based on genetic analysis.


 


 


Abstract 


The high economic value of groupers has made them a popular choice in both local and international markets. However, identifying grouper species is also challenging due to complex morphological variations especially in the juvenile phase. An integrative approach combining DNA barcoding and morphometric analysis was applied to improve species identification accuracy and provide additional information on grouper stocks. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the morphological and genetic diversity of groupers caught in the juvenile phase from the Makassar Strait. Samples of the genus Plectropomus (n=6) collected from a fish landing site in Pangkajene Kepulauan Regency were identified based on morphology and using molecular methods (DNA barcoding). Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses were performed. For all specimens the morphometric-meristic and molecular analyses were consistent (98-100% similarity) to known P. leopardus and P. oligacanthus accessions from GenBank. However, phylogenetic analysis: P. leopardus clustered into two distinct lower-level clades, and notably, two P. areolatus (Taiwan) resolved within the P. leopardus clade, while two P. laevis (Philippines) the resolved within the P. oligacanthus clade. Haplotype network showed high intraspecific genetic diversity, with P. leopardus forming four distinct haplotype groups and P. oligacanthus forming two groups. These findings collectively indicate that misidentification may be common and highlight the urgent need for further investigation into geographic barriers to gene flow and the potential existence of cryptic species or subspecies within Plectropomus. This study is expected to provide critical support for sustainable fisheries management and the conservation of marine biodiversity in the Makassar Strait.

Keywords

DNA barcodingMorphometricsGenetic diversitySulawesiGrouper
Mainna, M. ., Kadir, N. N., Husain, A. A. A. ., Hidayani, A. A. ., Umar, W. ., & Moore, A. M. . (2025). DNA Barcoding and Morphological Characters of Juvenile Plectropomus (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) Caught in Makassar Strait . Jurnal Ilmiah Perikanan Dan Kelautan. https://doi.org/10.20473/jipk.v17i3.72091
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Author Biographies

Muth Mainna, Master Program in Fisheries Science, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Master Program in Fisheries Science, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Conservation Thematic Research Group (AMBioC TRG), Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Nadiarti Nurdin Kadir, Aquatic Resource Management Study Program, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Resource Management Study Program, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Conservation Thematic Research Group (AMBioC TRG), Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Centre of Excellence for Marine Resilience and Sustainable Development, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aidah Ambo Ala Husain, Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Conservation Thematic Research Group (AMBioC TRG), Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Centre of Excellence for Marine Resilience and Sustainable Development, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Andi Aliah Hidayani, Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Conservation Thematic Research Group (AMBioC TRG), Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Widyastuti Umar, Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Conservation Thematic Research Group (AMBioC TRG), Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Abigail Mary Moore, Graduate School, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Graduate School, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Aquatic Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Conservation Thematic Research Group (AMBioC TRG), Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

Centre of Excellence for Marine Resilience and Sustainable Development, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

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