Molecular barcoding of marine ornamental fish from the southern coast of West Java validates conventional identification

Conventional identification of marine ornamental fish has faced difficulties due to similar color patterns of closed related species, or juvenile individuals have different color patterns from adult individuals. Molecular barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene provides a reliable tool for unmasking such difficulties. This study aimed to barcode marine ornamental fish from the southern coast of West Java. Fragment of the COI gene was sequenced from 54 morphotypes. In this study, we determined the taxonomic status of the samples based on a 5% genetic divergence, with the parameter including sequence percent identity, genetic distance, and length of monophyletic branch in a phylogenetic tree. The result showed that most samples had a high percentage of sequence identities, low genetic distances, and short chapters in monophyletic clades, but the remaining were not. Those data indicated that most samples could be identified at species-level without doubt and support conventional identification. Barcoding success is also depending on the availability of conspecific sequences in the databases. This study concluded that molecular barcoding could strengthen and validate traditional identification.