DNA barcoding of coral reef fishes from Chuuk State, Micronesia

Abstract

The fish diversity of Chuuk Micronesia is currently under threat due to rapid changes in the coral reef ecosystem. Thus, accurate fish identification using DNA barcodes is fundamental for exploring species biodiversity and resource protection. In this study, we analyzed 162 fish mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes from Chuuk Micronesia. Consequently, we identified 95 species from 53 genera in 26 families and seven orders. The average Kimura 2-parameter genetic distances within species, genera, families, and orders were calculated as 0.17%, 11.78%, 15.63%, and 21.90%, respectively. Also, we have utilized DNA barcodes to perform genetic divergence and phylogenetic analysis of families recognized as dominant groups in Chuuk State. Our findings confirm that DNA barcodes using COI are an effective approach in identifying coral reef fish species. We anticipate that the results of this study will provide baseline data for the protection of coral reef fish biodiversity at Chuuk Micronesia.

Keywords:

• Coral reef fish
• mitochondrial DNA COI
• DNA barcode
• identification
• Chuuk State
• Micronesia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in NCBI at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/, all reference numbers in Table 1.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by research funds from the KIOST [PE99724: Exploration of new marine biological/genetic resources and rare metal resources in the Area beyond national jurisdiction] and [PE99812: Biogeochemical cycling and marine environmental change studies].