Muhammad Ali Sarong

DNA barcoding of freshwater fishes from Lake Laut Tawar, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Modern taxonomic work regularly employs internal anatomy, physiology, behaviour, genes, isozymes, geography, and morphological characters, which remain the cornerstone of taxonomic treatments (Ward et al. 2009). However, there are difficulties in relying primarily on morphology when attempting to identify fishes during various stages of their development for example larvae or when examining fragmentary-, partial-, or processed remains. Even when intact adult specimens are available, the morphological characters used to discern species can be so subtle that identification is difficult, even for trained taxonomists (Ward et al. 2009). It is well recognised that DNA-based identification system or commonly known as DNA barcoding (Floyd et al. 2002, Hebert et al. 2003a), can aid the resolution of the vast diversity of life with its millions of species (Hebert et al. 2003a, 2003b, Tautz et al. 2003). It has much to offer ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2013) 43 (1): 21–29 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2013.43.1.04