DNA barcoding as a method for species identification: Case study in Ahaetulla snake

Abstract

Species identification using molecular analyses has recently been developed, one of which is DNA barcoding method. The purpose of this study was to apply the DNA barcoding method to identify Ahaetulla snake which previously had not been identified molecularly. The specimens used came from Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok and additional samples obtained from Genbank. Cytochrome B gene was extracted and amplified to obtain DNA barcode. Phylogenetic analysis using ML method was used to determine the kinship relationship of the Ahaetulla snake. Morphological analyses were added to confirm the results of molecular identification. The results of molecular analysis using DNA barcoding method showed the presence of two Ahaetulla species in this study, there are A. prasina and A. mycterizans. This difference is indicated by the formation of two separate main clades, clade I contains A. prasina and clade II contains A. mycterizans. The results of the morphological analyses also showed differences in the character of the two different clade species. Thus, molecular analyses result agrees with morphological analyses. It can be concluded that the DNA barcoding method can be used as a valid method to identify Ahaetulla snake species.