Morphological and molecular identification of hairtail (Trichiurus spp.) caught in Pangandaran Waters

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the species of hairtail caught in Pengandaran waters based on morphological, meristic character and molecular approach. In total 135 fish samples were collected from Pangandaran Waters, during March-April 2017. Each sample was identified, measured on 22 morphometric and 4 meristic characters, then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Molecular identification was conducted by sequenced of 16S rRNA gene. The result of the research showed that hairtail characterized by III spines and 125-140 soft rays of dorsal fin (D.III, 125-140), the anal fin situated below 38th to 41th of dorsal-fin soft ray, I spine and 10 soft rays of pectoral fin (P.I.10), and I spine and 91 to 112 spinules of anal fin (A.I.91-112). Based on the morphological identification, the hairtail was belonged to Trichiurus lepturus. Principal Component Analysis showing the morphometric variation was presented in the caudal peduncle length. Molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA of the partial 16S rRNA gene confirmed the hairtail as T. lepturus with similarity 98-99% based on previously published data. Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. lepturus from Pangandaran were closely similar to related species caught from the Southern Coast of Yogyakarta Special Territory (Indian Ocean) and Hainan China (Pacific Ocean).