DNA Barcoding and Phylogenetics of Betta cf anabatoides Based on Cytochrome Oxydase Sub Unit 1 (CO1) Gene Markers from Tangkit Village, Jambi Province, Indonesia

    One of the wild Betta species found in the swamps of Jambi Province is locally referred to as Betta cf. raja. However, genetic information on wild Betta species from this region is currently lacking. Molecular studies involving DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis are necessary for accurate taxonomic validation. This research employed the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method targeting the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene—a widely used genetic marker for fish species identification due to its stability and low likelihood of insertions or deletions. Muscle tissue samples from wild Betta specimens collected in Tangkit Village, Jambi Province (coded TJ 01 and TJ 02) were analyzed. DNA was isolated using the Magnetic Beads g-SYnC DNA Kit protocol. The resulting DNA amplification produced a fragment length of 679 base pairs. BLAST analysis of the nucleotide sequences identified a strong similarity with Betta cf. anabantoides. Phylogenetic analysis further supported this identification, grouping the Jambi specimens within the Betta cf. anabantoides clade with a bootstrap value of 96%. In conclusion, the results of DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis validate the taxonomic status of the wild Betta species from Jambi as Betta cf. anabantoides.