Molecular marker based on 16S rRNA gene for seahorse (Hippocampus spp.) from Bintan Island-Indonesia

Abstract

Seahorse is known as the organism with different reproduction mechanism from other organisms showing male pregnancy. Phenomenon of cryptic species and complex species often lead to morphologically misidentification. DNA barcoding is commonly used as a tool for molecular identification. From 33 types of seahorses in Indonesia, 7 of them were found in Bintan waters. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the species of seahorse by molecular marker based on 16S rRNA gene and determine the genetic relationship of seahorse from Bintan Island,Indonesia. The specimens were collected from Berakit,Bintan. DNA was extracted, then amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragment was carried out. The results showed that the sequence of amplified DNA of seahorse were Hippocampus comes has a high degree of kinship with H. comes originating from Taiwan.