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The Revision of Lethrinidae species at the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia using integrated
approaches

1 Siti Asmal Mat Piah , Ying Giat Seah
* 1,2

1 Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,
21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
2 South China Sea Respiratory and Reference Centre, Institute Oceanography and Environment,
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

* Corresponding author: p4117@pps.umt.edu.my

Abstract:

Studies on fish taxonomy are a fundamental technique in the identification and classification of fish
species according to their morphological characteristics and DNA barcodes. The on-going research
project has collected 323 individuals of 11 species from six LKIM Fishery Complex along the east coast
of Peninsular Malaysia. Six fish landing ports are Tok Bali, Kuala Besut, Kuala Kambing, Kuantan,
Endau and Tanjung Sedili. Each specimen has photographed with tag number, fixed and preserved
followed Seah et al. (2011). Morphometric measurements and meristic counts has followed Hubbs and
Lagler (2004). Terminology of morphological characteristics and descriptions has followed Carpenter
(2001) and fish identification has referred the previous book publications. The total species
are Gymnocranius elongates (34), Gymnocranius frenatus (6), Gymnocranius griseus (32), Lethrinus
genivittatus (58), Lethrinus lentjan (58), Lethrinus microdon (25), Lethrinus nebulosus (4), Lethrinus
semicinctus (35), Lethrinus ornatus (8), Lethrinus olivaceus (11), and Lethrinus variegatus (52). Two
species (L. olivaceus and L. semicinctus) have been recorded as fish species with an extension of
distribution to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia waters. The research has also provided
the key to species of 11 species based on morphometric parameters and meristic counts. The lethrinid
fishes are known to be difficult to identify in preserved specimens due to discoloration. Thus, a
complementary study of fish identification and authentication has been conducted for the fish species
using DNA barcoding techniques.

Keywords: Lethrinidae, Taxonomy, Morphology, Species Identification, Molecular