DNA Barcoding of Dominant Species
in the Sardine Fishery of Northern Mindanao

Kevin Labrador1,2*, Altair Agmata2, Joseph Dominic Palermo2,3,
Asuncion de Guzman4, Maria Rio Abdon Naguit5, Jerry Garcia6,
and Maria Josefa Pante2

1Coral Reef Resiliency and Ecology Studies Laboratory
Department of Biological Sciences and Ecological Studies
College of Science and Mathematics
University of the Philippines Mindanao, Davao City 8022 Philippines
2The Marine Science Institute
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
3Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
4Gaia Resource and Environmental Consultancy Services
Naawan, Misamis Oriental 9023 Philippines
5Jose Rizal Memorial State University–Main Campus
Dapitan City 7101 Philippines
6Mindanao State University at Naawan
Naawan, Misamis Oriental 9023 Philippines

*Corresponding author: kllabrador@up.edu.ph

ABSTRACT

DNA barcoding was done to identify the dominant species of sardines that comprised the landed catch of the sardine fishery in the Northern Mindanao Region (NMR), and juveniles or “lupoy” in the Northern Zamboanga Peninsula (NZP). Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) minibarcodes were sequenced for all samples, while 16S ribosomal subunit sequences were obtained from a subset of samples. In reference to a previously reported land catch survey, sequence data confirmed the identity of the most dominant sardines in NMR and lupoy from NZP as Sardinella lemuru. Meanwhile, those reported as S. gibbosa were identified as Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus, while those reported as S. pacifica were identified as the recently described S. goni. Results highlight: 1) the limitation in identifying sardines during land catch surveys without further taxonomic verification, and 2) the utility of DNA barcoding as a tool for species identification. Moreover, genetic data revealed that S. goni occurs in the fisheries of NMR, thereby expanding its known habitat range. Since this study was limited only in using DNA barcodes for identification, a detailed morphological examination of the dominant sardines is recommended.