Molecular Barcoding Reveal the Existence of Mole Crabs Emerita emeritus in North Coast of Central Java

Abstract

The existence of mole crabs had been reported from the southern coast of Central Java. However, no mole crab data was available from the northern coast Central Java. This study aimed to figure out the existence of mole crabs in the northern coast of Central Java as revealed from the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) barcoding. Mole crabs samples collected in Sendang Sikucing Beach Kendal. Taxonomic status of the samples was inferred from sequences similarity test using basic local alignment search tool to conspecific sequence deposited in GenBank. Pairwise genetic distances were calculated based on the Kimura 2-parameter model. A phylogenetic tree had reconstructed in molecular evolution genetic analysis (MEGA) software based on neighbor-joining algorithm. Branching reliability was obtained from 1000 bootstraps replication while branching polarity was obtained from the out-group comparison. The mole crab samples from the northern coast of Central Java had unambiguously identified as Emerita emeritus based on high sequences similarities (98.27%-99.70%), low genetic distances (0.002-0.005), and their monophyly with Emerita emeritus (KR047035) in GenBank. Pairwise analysis among each possibility pair of samples had genetic distances ranged between 0.000 and 0.005, indicated that all sample belong to single species. The data provide the first record of the existence of Emerita emeritus in the northern coast of Central Java. Our data on the existence of E. emeritus in the northern coast of Central Java is among essentials information as a scientific basis in creating policy for the management of sustainable use of the mole crabs in the areas.

Molecular characteristics and taxonomic status of morphologically similar barnacles (Amphibalanus) assessed using the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene

“…High genetic homology among barnacle samples and their reference species was also reported (Pitriana et al 2020). Similar phenomena were also reported in other crustaceans (Bilgin et al 2015;Bhagawati et al 2020;Kusbiyanto et al 2020). Therefore, it can be stated that high genetic homology among individuals within species is a common phenomenon over a wide range (Nuryanto et al 2017;Ko et al 2013).…”

“…The genetic species concept states that high similarity in genetic constituents of two or more individuals can be referred to as belonging to a single species, as summarized by Claridge et al (1997). In technical terms, genetic similarity can be assessed through sequence identity, genetic distances, and individual monophyly (Bhagawati et al 2020;Kusbiyanto et al 2020).…”

“…The cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene has a highly variable fragment that is decisive for species differentiation of morphologically identical species (von der Heyden et al 2014), such as members of the B. amphitrite complex (Chen et al 2014). The taxonomic status of the samples can be determined based on sequence identity (Nuryanto et al 2017;Bhagawati et al 2020). Other parameters include genetic distance and monophyly of the specimen to the conspecific references (Kusbiyanto et al 2020, Nuryanto et al 2018.…”

Emerita pangandaranensis sp. nov., a new sand crab (Anomura, Hippidae) from the South Coast of Java, Indonesia

“…In Indonesian waters, only one species of the genus Emerita has been reported ( Emerita emeritus). It was reported from the west coast of Sumatera (Padang, Bengkulu), the south coast of Java (Cilacap, Kebumen, Bantul, Purworejo) (Wardiatno and Mashar 2013, Wardiatno et al 2015, Nugaraha et al 2018, and northern java (Bhagawati et al 2020).…”

“…Emerita emeritus has a smooth anterior margin of carapace while crenulated in new Emerita species. At least two previous studies have suspected the existence of other species besides Emerita emeritus in southern Java (Butet et al 2019, Nuryanto et al 2020 ). This research aims to look for the important morphological character of Emerita pangandaranensis after they separated from Emerita emeritus based on the COI gene.…”