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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

How to Maintain the Population of Ancient Fish Coelacanth ala BRIN

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Indonesian researchers from BRIN are using eDNA metabarcoding to detect the ancient coelacanth fish.
  • Samples were collected from various locations in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat where the fish has been previously detected.
  • The presence of coelacanth indicates a healthy mesophotic ecosystem habitat, though further study is needed on hydrological and oceanographic conditions.

Researchers at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Indonesia are employing advanced environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding techniques to detect the elusive coelacanth, an ancient fish also known as the "living fossil."

So in the end of the sequencing process, we get information that the eDNA molecule we collected from the water sample at that sampling point is identical to the DNA fragment possessed by the Indonesian coelacanth.

— Onny Nurrahman MarwayanaMarwayana explains the confirmation process using eDNA metabarcoding.

Onny Nurrahman Marwayana, a researcher at BRIN's Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, collected water samples from several sites in Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Gangga Islands, and Waigeo in Raja Ampat. These are areas where Indonesian coelacanths have been previously identified.

The eDNA metabarcoding process involves filtering water samples to obtain eDNA extracts. These extracts are then amplified using specific DNA primers that target coelacanth DNA. Subsequent sequencing translates and aligns these fragments with existing DNA barcode data in GenBank, confirming the presence of the species in the collected water samples.

The phenomenon of encountering the ancient fish coelacanth more often indicates that the habitat conditions for the species are still good, so it can maintain its population as part of the mesophotic ecosystem.

— Onny Nurrahman MarwayanaMarwayana interprets the increased sightings of coelacanth as a positive sign for its habitat.

The frequent sightings of coelacanths suggest that their mesophotic ecosystem habitat remains in good condition, supporting the fish's population. However, Marwayana notes that further research is necessary to fully understand the hydrological and oceanographic factors contributing to the health of these deep-water ecosystems. He also points out that human activities, such as illegal logging and overfishing, can disturb the habitats of rare species, making them more visible.

Regarding whether there is an improvement in the ecosystem as a coelacanth habitat, this needs further study regarding the hydrological and oceanographic conditions in the mesophotic ecosystem.

— Onny Nurrahman MarwayanaMarwayana calls for further research into the environmental factors supporting the coelacanth habitat.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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