Molecular Phylogeny of the Humpback Red Snapper (Lutjanus gibbus) from Wakatobi Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Based on the Partial Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) Gene
Suriana Suriana
*
Genetic Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Halu Oleo University, Green Campus Bumi Tridarma HEA Mokodompit Street, Kendari, 93232, Indonesia.
Nur Arfa Yanti
Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Halu Oleo University, Green Campus Bumi Tridarma HEA Mokodompit Street, Kendari, 93232, Indonesia.
Jamili Jamili
Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Halu Oleo University, Green Campus Bumi Tridarma HEA Mokodompit Street, Kendari, 93232, Indonesia.
Muzuni Muzuni
Genetic Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Halu Oleo University, Green Campus Bumi Tridarma HEA Mokodompit Street, Kendari, 93232, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree and determine the molecular taxonomic position of the humpback red snapper (Lutjanus gibbus) from Wakatobi Island, Southeast Sulawesi, based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
Study Design: This was an exploratory study in which partial sequences of the red snapper COI gene were analysed and compared with homologous sequences available in GenBank.
Place and Duration of Study: Fish samples were obtained from the waters of Wakatobi Island; DNA extraction, COI gene amplification, and data analysis were conducted at the Genetic Laboratory of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Halu Oleo University, from January to March 2026.
Methodology: Three fish specimens were morphologically identified using fish taxonomy references. Genomic DNA was extracted using the CTAB method. The extracted DNA served as the template for COI gene amplification. The amplicons were sequenced and analysed for nucleotide characteristics, and genetic distances were calculated. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed by aligning the generated sequences with homologous GenBank reference sequences.
Results: The study results indicated that the COI gene sequence of the humpback red snapper from Wakatobi Island was 645 bp long. The nitrogenous base composition was thymine 29.6%, cytosine 26.7%, adenine 25.1%, and guanine 18.6%. Nucleotide variation among individuals within the species was observed at six sites. Genetic distances ranged from 0.0% to 0.6%. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction using the Neighbor-Joining method showed that red snapper from Wakatobi Island clustered with conspecifics available in GenBank, and the resulting tree was monophyletic.
Conclusion: Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the humpback red snapper from Wakatobi is L. gibbus and showed a close evolutionary relationship with reference sequences from other geographical locations. This dataset can support fish conservation efforts in Southeast Sulawesi and contribute to the expansion of fish COI gene data in GenBank.
Keywords: DNA barcoding, mitochondrial COI, molecular identification, phylogenetic reconstruction, genetic distance, nucleotide variation, Lutjanus gibbus, humpback red snapper, Wakatobi Island, Southeast Sulawesi