Sains Malaysiana 54(6)(2025): 1451-1464

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5406-02

 

DNA Barcoding Shows Taxonomic Uncertainty in North Sumatran Mahseer, Neolissochilus: towards Comprehensive Revision in Indonesia

(Pengekodan Bar DNA Menunjukkan Ketidakpastian Taksonomi pada Mahseer Sumatera Utara, Neolissochilus: Ke Arah Semakan Komprehensif di Indonesia)

 

SEKAR LARASHATI^1,*, GEMA WAHYUDEWANTORO², MEY RISTANTI WIDORETNO¹, DWI FEBRIANTI¹, HURIA MARNIS³, TERNALA ALEXANDER BARUS⁴, YOLANDA SIMARETHA CHRISTIANY SINUHAJI⁵, RUBY VIDIA KUSUMAH³, OCTAVIANTO SAMIR¹ & TRI WIDIYANTO¹

 

¹Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

²Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

³Research Center for Fisheries, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

⁴Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia

⁵Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Graduate School, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia

 

Diserahkan: 4 November 2024/Diterima: 7 April 2025

 

Abstract

The mahseer species Neolissochilus holds significant ecological and socioeconomic value, but its wild population is declining. A major challenge is conservation efforts is taxonomy uncertainty. This study used DNA barcoding of three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) segments (COI, Cyt b, and 16S rRNA) to verify the morphological identification of nine specimens collected from Bonan Dolok River and eight Neolissochilus sumatranus from the Tulas River, as well as three Neolissochilus soro samples from the Tulas River, and eight from Boho Rivers, respectively, in North Sumatra. Morphological identification was based on body height, eye diameter/length, length of pectoral fin to the dorsal fin, anal fin to the caudal fin, and dorsal fin branch rays. Neighbour Joining analysis was used to construct the phylogenetic trees, showing that samples of N. sumatranus and N. soro clustered with supported bootstrap values of 63-71%, and no genetic distance between them. ASAP and ABGD species delimitation supported this clustering. This suggests both are the same species and closely related to N. soroides and N. hendersoni (genetic distance: 0.001-0.012 and 0.000-0.002, respectively). This challenges existing taxonomy and emphasizes the need to revisit Neolissochilus classification in Indonesia. Further study involving traditional taxonomy and DNA barcoding on Neolissochilus species in Indonesia is needed to clarify species distinction, validate taxonomy, and update the conservation status. This approach will enhance species identification, guide conservation efforts, and improve management of these vital freshwater fish species.

Keywords: Conservation; freshwater fish; mitochondrial DNA; phylogenetics; taxonomy validation

 

Abstrak

Spesies tengas Neolissochilus mempunyai nilai ekologi dan sosioekonomi yang penting, tetapi populasinya di habitat liar semakin berkurang. Salah satu cabaran utama dalam usaha pemuliharaannya adalah ketidakpastian dalam taksonomi. Kajian ini menggunakan pengekodan DNA bagi tiga segmen DNA mitokondria (mtDNA) (COI, Cyt b dan 16S rRNA) untuk mengesahkan pengecaman morfologi sembilan sampel yang dikumpulkan dari Sungai Bonan Dolok dan lapan Neolissochilus sumatranus dari Sungai Tulas, serta tiga sampel Neolissochilus soro dari Sungai Tulas dan lapan dari Sungai Boho di Sumatera Utara. Pengecaman morfologi dibuat berdasarkan ketinggian badan, diameter/panjang mata, panjang sirip pektoral ke sirip dorsal, sirip anal ke sirip kaudal dan jejari bercabang sirip dorsal. Analisis Jiran Menyambung digunakan untuk membina pokok filogenetik, yang menunjukkan bahawa sampel N. sumatranus dan N. soro berkelompok dengan nilai sokongan bootstrap 63-71% dan tiada jarak genetik antara mereka. Persempadanan spesies ASAP dan ABGD menyokong pengelompokan ini. Ini mencadangkan bahawa kedua-duanya adalah spesies yang sama dan mempunyai hubungan rapat dengan N. soroides (dan N. hendersoni) dengan jarak genetik masing-masing 0.001–0.012 dan 0.000–0.002. Penemuan ini mencabar taksonomi sedia ada dan menekankan keperluan untuk mengkaji semula pengelasan Neolissochilus di Indonesia. Kajian lanjut yang menggabungkan taksonomi tradisional dan pengekodan DNA terhadap spesies Neolissochilus di Indonesia diperlukan untuk menjelaskan perbezaan spesies, mengesahkan taksonomi dan mengemaskini status pemuliharaan. Pendekatan ini akan meningkatkan pengecaman spesies, membimbing usaha pemuliharaan dan memperbaiki pengurusan spesies ikan air tawar yang penting ini.

Kata kunci: DNA mitokondria; filogenetik; ikan air tawar; pemuliharaan; pengesahan taksonomi

 

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