Zeylanicobdella arugamensis, the marine leech from cultured crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus), Jerejak Island, Penang, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the prevalence, phylogenetics and DNA barcoding of Zeylanicobdella arugamensis (Z. arugamensis) from crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus), Jerejak Island, Penang, Malaysia. Methods Experiment was conducted with 200 fish specimens of cultured Lutjanus erythropterus from Jerejak Island, Penang, Peninsular Malaysia. The water temperature and length for each fish were measured prior to parasites examination. Next, the morphological identification of parasites was performed. Genomic DNA from parasites was extracted for further molecular analysis. After PCR amplification, phylogenetic tree was constructed. The lowest Bayesian information criterion scores showed that the most compatible model is Tajima and Nei. Finally, data sets of cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene sequence and trace file have been submitted to Barcode of Life Data System. Results The prevalence rate of Z. arugamensis was recorded to be 11.5%, and the intensity was 1.48. The low intensity was due to the water temperature recorded in this study (32.9–33.2 °C). All the individuals of Z. arugamensis recorded in this study showed a close relationship with species that were recorded in NCBI database (Z. arugamensis DQ414344, Aestabdella leiostomi DQ414305, Pterobdella amara DQ414334 and Cystobranchus meyeri DQ414315) but less relationship with Aestabdella abditovesiculata DQ414300. Finally, the DNA sequences submitted to Barcode of Life Data System in accordance to species have already obtained Barcode Index Number as BOLD ACM3477. Conclusions This study has provided an overview of sequence divergence at cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, DNA barcodes and parasite prevalence of Z. arugamensis.