UNAIR NEWS – Reviewing the results of research on Guppy Fish, Dr. Sucipto Hariyanto, DEA., said that research on differences in guppy fish genotype variations between populations had never been done in Indonesia. Several studies, he explained, have been carried out by reviewing the use of guppies as mosquito control and bioindicator of batik liquid waste.
Indonesia is one of the world’s mega-diversity countries. One of the rich fauna biodiversity owned by Indonesia is freshwater fish which ranks third after Brazil and Colombia. Unfortunately, continued Sucipto, most of Indonesia’s freshwater fish have not been recorded at Genbank.
“It is important for researchers to complete an inventory and record the wealth of Indonesian fauna in gene banks,” he explained.
Furthermore, Sucipto explained that guppy fish is highly adaptable and has a high tolerance to temperature and salinity ranges. Even against polluted waters, and is one of the last species to survive in heavily polluted areas.
“This makes guppies a choice in toxicology studies. Besides, guppy fish are also found in several habitats such as lakes and ditches at the lowest altitude to high mountain areas, “he said.
In his research, Sucipto also reviewed the genetic variation of guppies. According to him, genetic variation is the level of gene differences between species or between populations that show genetic correlation. Furthermore, the correlation between populations that have been studied in different fish species have great evolutionary significance concerning to local adaptation, changes in microevolution and regulation of genetic diversity.
“Color changes in guppies are to protect them, especially from the threat of predators, as well as genetic diversity can affect the ability of species to respond to environmental changes to survive,” said Sucipto.
The research is to find out the variations of different heights for guppy genotypes in East Java. It also can be used as a reference for further researches.
Author: Nuri Hermawan
Reference:
https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/biosaintifika/article/view/20222/9554
Sucipto Hariyanto, Hasan Adro’i, Mahrus Ali, Bambang Irawan. 2019. DNA
Barcoding: A Study of Guppy Fish (Poecilia reticulata) in East Java, Indonesia.
Journal of Biology & Biology Education, Biosaintifika 11 (2) (2019) 272-278.
