Abstract. Malik MDA, Putra MIH, Topan E, Pertiwi NPD, Artiningsih EY, Sari SK, Lewis S, Prabuning D, Sembiring A. 2022. Short Communication: Genetic variation of oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) based on mtDNA data in the Savu Sea, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1700-1706. The Savu Sea, one of Indonesia's top conservation priorities, is home to various marine charismatic species, including the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris), whose conservation status is currently endangered and is protected by the Indonesian government. However, due to domestic and global demand for its fishery products, as well as shortcomings in fisheries management, this species is still poached and bycaught in the Savu Sea. Understanding their population structure is important to achieve effective conservation and fisheries management strategies that will have a positive impact on preserving their population in this area. This study aims to reveal the genetic variation of oceanic manta rays in the Savu Sea. Thirty samples from three locations in the Savu Sea were successfully preserved from East Flores (24), West Manggarai (4), and Rote Ndao (2) and then analyzed using ND5 locus from Mithocondiral DNA (mtDNA). The result indicated a close genetic relationship between three locations (East Flores, West Manggarai, and Rote Ndao) based on the phylogenetic tree and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) result with value of 0.05158 (P-value = 0.62268) indicated as a single population. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide some insight into the possibility of manta ray populations in the Savu Sea having strong connectivity between areas, which is critical information for regulators and managers to integrate conservation and management strategies within the Savu Sea.

Abstract. Al Malik MD, Pertiwi NPD, Sembiring A, Yusmalinda NLA, Ningsing EY, Astarini IA. 2020. Short Communication: Genetic structure of Longtail Tuna Thunnus tonggol (Bleeker, 1851) in Java Sea, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3637-3643. Thunnus tonggol (Longtail Tuna) is an economically important fish found in Indonesia waters, however, the information regarding this fish is lacking. Known to be a neritic fish and found in shallow water, Java Sea is one of the ideal habitats for T. tonggol species. Due to high fishing rates activities in Java Sea, a better management plan to ensure the conservation and fisheries sustainability around this area is needed, especially to protect T. tonggol population. In order to complete the Indonesian tuna data, we aim to study the diversity and genetic structure of T. tonggol in Java Sea at three different locations; i.e. Semarang, Banjarmasin, and Jakarta. In this study, population genetic methods with the marker of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region were used in population structure analysis. A total of 115 specimens were collected from the fish market around the area of study locations and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced using Sanger methods. The result showed genetic diversity (Hd) value of 0.99366, and nucleotide diversity (π) value of 0.01906. Both of these values indicated high genetic diversity. Population analyses using Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) showed nonsignificant differences between the three populations of study (mixing population), with the ΦST value of 0,00375 (p-value > 0.05). Based on this result, the fisheries management for T. tonggol in Java Sea needs to be managed as one single population management.

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Abstract. Pertiwi NPD, Suhendro MD, Yusmalinda NLA, Putra ING, Putri IGRM, Artinigsih EY, Al Malik MD, Cahyani NKD, Sembiring A. 2020. Forensic genetic case study: Species identification and traceability of sea turtle caught in illegal trade in Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4276-4283. Although known as protected endangered species, sea turtle trade is still occurring, especially in Indonesia. Understanding the species and population origin of sea turtle being sold in the illegal market is crucial for its conservation, where it will reveal the traceability of sea turtle trade to its population origin in the management unit areas. Thus, genetic forensic has been used as a key investigating tool to help with this problem. In this research, we aim to identify the species and population origin of the sea turtle caught and traded in the illegal market in Bali. Of the 20 samples collected from confiscated sea turtle during illegal trade, by-catch, and a traditional restaurant serving sea turtle meat, 17 samples were successfully analyzed and identified using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) methods. The result identified 15 samples as a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), while two samples were olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Mixed Stock Analysis (MSA) with Bayesian indicated that the green sea turtle caught in illegal trade in Bali is originated mostly from the rookeries populations in Berau (29.98%), Terengganu (17.84%), Sarawak (14.84%), and Ashmore Reef (11.85%). Meanwhile, 18 other locations only showed the MSA value below 2%, including the locations of Penang and Perak, Vietnam, Perhentian, Redang, Pahang, Mersing, Sabah Turtle Island Park (TIP), Sipadan, Coral Sea, western New Caledonia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island and Guam, northern New Guinea, Gulf of Carpenteria, Scott Reef, West Java, North West Self, Cobourg Peninsula, Cocos Keeling Island. Therefore, the exploitation of sea turtle in Bali will impact the decline in the genetic diversity of sea turtles population Indonesia and adjacent locations. Monitoring and protection of sea turtle species in Bali have to be a high priority because Bali is known as the hub for sea turtle illegal trade, and the exploitation of sea turtle in Bali will have an impact on the sea turtle population in other locations.

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