Study on Phylogenetic Status of Javan Plover Bird (Charadrius, Charadriidae, Charadriiformes) through DNA Barcoding Analysis

Abstract

<p>Javan Plover named <em>Charadrius javanicus</em> is taxonomically under controversy and phylogenetically unresolved yet. Through an analysis of DNA barcode, this study aims (1) to confirm whether Javan Plover is separated species named <em>Charadrius javanicus</em> or a subspecies of <em>C. alexandrinus</em> which named <em>C. a. javanicus</em> and (2) to determine a relationship within this genus. Totally 666 bp DNA sequences of COI barcode gene were analyzed.  The results showed that a sequence divergence between Javan Plover and <em>C. alexandrinus alexandrinus</em> was only 1.2%, while sequence divergences between <em>C.a.alexandrinus</em> and others species, or between Javan Plover and others species were ranged from 9-12%.  Neighbour-joining (NJ) and maximum-parsimony (MP) analyses showed that all individuals of both Javan Plover and Kenith Plover were clustered together, and supported by 99 % and 100 % of bootstrap value in NJ and MP, respectively. This study tends to support the previous findings that Javan Plover was not a separated species named<em> C. javanicus</em>, but it was as a subspecies of <em>C. alexandrinus</em>; named <em>C. a. javanicus</em>. There were two groups of Plover in this study; (<em>C. leschenaultii </em>and <em>C. javanicus </em>+ <em>C.a.alexandrinus</em>), and (<em>C.dubius</em> and <em>C. melodus + C. semipalmatus</em>). DNA barcoding analysis can give certainty taxonomic status of the bird. Then, this study has implication as a basic data that can be used to provide and support the planning of Javan plover conservation programs. </p>