COI-BASED DNA BARCODING FOR IDENTIFICATION OF MARINE FISH (FAMILY: SCOMBRIDAE) FROM THE COASTAL SITE OF LASBELA, BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

T he study represents the first COI barcode record of marine fish species in Pakistan, utilizing DNA barcoding to identify from Baluchistan coast, Lasbela region. COI based molecular identification method had not been extensively employed for marine species. Present study provides a foundational genetic based identification reference for future study and contribute to improving the accuracy in identification process of marine fish identification. Additionally, study also highlights the significance of various integrating molecular identification techniques management and conservational strategies in fisheries to ensure viable use of marine fisheries. By using cytochrome c oxidase subunit, I (COI) gene as a marker for identification, Scomberomorus commerson and Scomberomorus guttatus were identified accurately. Specimens of Family: Scombridae as Scomberomorus commerson and Scomberomorus guttatus were used collected, analyzed, and identified accurately resulting in the successful submission of sequences to GenBank, NCBI. BLAST analysis confirmed accuracy of identification as Scomberomorus commerson and Scomberomorus guttatus specie with exact match, with 668 and 408 base pair respectively as inferred from neighbor-joining tree analysis, further corroborated these findings. Study demonstrates the efficacy of DNA extraction method and barcoding as a reliable and efficient approach for species identification and phylogenetic lineage in marine fishes from coastal region of Pakistan.