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Seahorse (Hippocampus spp.) is a protected animal as stated in Appendix II, Convention ofInternational Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). However, illegal trade of seahorse still exist due to high demand in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and ornamental businesses. Population of seahorses is declining worldwide due to overfishing and other factors. Conservation efforts have been difficult due to difficulties in identifying the species of seahorse. This study is designed to document detail morphology of seahorses from lohor and to sequence the partial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene in order to detennine the genetic diversity and molecular phylogeny of the seahorses from lohor. Seahorse samples were donated by Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), Gelang Patah, lohor. A total of 6 seahorses were subjected to identification based on morphological characteristics. In addition, molecular work involved total genomic DNA extraction, PCR to amplify partial cyt b gene, direct DNA sequencing and data analysis. Based on morphological characteristics, KL1 is H. kuda, KL4 is H. spinosissimus, KL5 is H. subelongatus and KL6 is H histrix. Identification of the other 2 seahorse samples was unresolved. A total 735bp partial cyt b gene sequences was obtained from seahorse, KL2 and it matched with sequence of H kuda, accession number of AY422137 cyt b gene sequence. This partial cyt b gene had been submitted to GenBank and its accession number is lX 217831. Based on partial cyt b gene sequence analysis, KL2 and other H. kuda fonned a clade with high bootstrap value, therefore, H kuda is monophyletic. Within H kuda samples involved in this study, genetic divergence value is between 0.1% -5.6% indicating intraspecific variation between samples
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