Publication: Environmental Dna (Edna) As A Tool For Monitoring Native Belida Species (Chitala Lopis) And Introduced Belida Species (Chitala Ornata) In Malaysian Freshwater Ecosystem
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Date
2025-09
Authors
Adnan, Muhamad Hanif Iryani
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Abstract
The use of environmental dna (edna) methods offers significant advantages in terms of cost, time and labour for monitoring rare and introduced species. However, most of the edna studies to date have been conducted in temperate environments, while edna-based applications for monitoring tropical organisms, particularly freshwater fishes remain limited and lack standardised procedures. In this study, qpcr-based edna methods were used to detect the presence of two freshwater fish species from the genus chitala (family notopteridae), locally known as ‘ikan belida’. Chitala lopis is native to peninsular malaysia but is rare, whereas chitala ornata has been introduced in this region and may represent a threat to local ecosystems. A species-specific pair of primers incorporated with a probe-based assay was designed to detect c. Lopis, whereas a pair of primers designed by osathanunkul & minamoto (2020) coupled with sybr green-based assay was used for detecting c. Ornata. A series of validation steps were included to test the specificity and sensitivity of each method. Environmental water samples were collected from the two rivers where either species was reported, namely the perak river for c. Lopis and the perai river for c. Ornata. The possible impacts of several environmental factors on edna detection were evaluated by recording environmental parameters at each sampling site. Overall, edna of each species was successfully detected at their respective locations, but not at all sampling sites.
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Environmental (Edna) Monitoring Native Belida Species