Prey identification of invasive peacock bass from Telabak Lake Malaysia using DNA barcoding technique

Conservation Feeding habit Invasive species.

Authors

  • Aliyu Garba Khaleel School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Najlaa Nawwarah Rusli School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Nurul Izzati Mohd Radzif School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Aiman Syafiq Muhd Nasir School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Mohamad Zulkarnain Mohd Dali School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Norshida Ismail School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Hou Chew Ha School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Ahmad Syazni Kamarudin School of Animal Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
August 25, 2020

Downloads

Invasive peacock bass Cichla spp. have recently invaded freshwater habitats across Malaysia. Stomach contents of 135 peacock bass captured from the Telabak Lake of East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analysed. The preys were examined using visual identification method and mitochondrial DNA barcoding technique to identify the partial digested and decaying preys in the stomach. The current study identified 7 prey species (6 fishes 43.0% and 1 shrimp 5.1%) belongs to 5 families in fishes' stomach. The results revealed that peacock bass is highly predator and generalist feeder with an opportunistic feeding behaviour. It is highly important to reduce and monitor the abundance of this species for future survival of native species in the lake.