DNA AUTHENTICATION OF STRIPED CATFISH Pangasius hypophthalmus AND Pangasius macronema from SOUTH SUMATRA INDONESIA  

Pangasiidae is highly economic important catfish in South Sumatra. Investigating fish diversity of catfish is of importance for species conservation. Many species or subspecies extincted due to environment decreasing caused by habitat loss, pollution and over fishing. Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I is one of mitochondrial DNA markers used for species barcoding in freshwater, brackishwater and marine fish. This research aims to explore the use of COI gene for species barcoding, construct phylogenetic tree of Pangasiidae, and know physical and chemistry characteristic of habitat at Penukal Abab River, PALI Regency, South Sumatra. The methods used in the research consisted of DNA extraction, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification and sequencing mtDNA COI gene.

A 607 and 590 base pairs of partial coding sequences from P. hypophthalmus and P. macronema were obtained representing cultured and wild species. Nucleotide BLAST analyses showed COI gene of P. hypophthalmus had high identity (100%) to the same species from South Africa (KU568951.1) and Indonesia (KU692727.1). Meanwhile, P. djambal indicated 95% identity with P. macronema (KT289892.1) from Vietnam. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that obviously, P. hypophthalmus and P. macronema were at the same cluster from Pangasiidae family, and different cluster from others catfish (Bagriidae and Clarias sp) and Oreochomis niloticus.

Water quality criteria (brightness, temperature, ammonia, pH and alkalinity) at Penukal River were still in tolerance for survival rate. Further study using more species of Pangasiidae and habitat are needed to investigate the diversity of DNA from South Sumatra water resources.

Keywords: DNA authentication, P. hypophthalmus, P. macronema, COI gene, phylogeny tree, South Sumatra