Panulirus stimpsoni and checklist of Panulirus lobsters in Malaysian waters: morphological and molecular insights
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2024
Abstract
Panulirus stimpsoni is restricted to southern China, Vietnam, and Japan but has been rarely reported in tropical Gulf of Thailand. In Malaysia, only six species were previously reported. This study (1) reports the seventh Malaysian species - a new record of P. stimpsoni with morphological and genetic data; (2) establishes a checklist of Malaysian Panulirus species. Surveys from 2021 to 2022 sampled lobsters across Malaysia by SCUBA or from fishermen. Seven species were identified and a modified key of Malaysian species was constructed. The COI gene was used for genetic identification and phylogenetic tree reconstruction with maximum likelihood (ML). The best model was GTR + I + G. The ML tree comprised Clades I and II with sequences clustering by species and strong support. Most Peninsular Malaysian lobsters were P. polyphagus while P. versicolor dominated Sabah. Information on P. stimpsoni's full fishery potential, distribution, ecology, and biology is limited. Further research is needed to ensure conservation and management as data are only available for six previously reported species. Further studies are required to discover sustainable use approaches for all Panulirus species, particularly P. stimpsoni, given limited ecological understanding.
Keywords
checklist, Malaysia, Panulirus, phylogeny, spiny lobster
Divisions
ocean
Funders
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (JKM/MBS.1000-2/2 JLD.13 (152)) ; (153),Sabah Biodiversity Council (SaBC)
Publication Title
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Volume
104
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publisher Location
EDINBURGH BLDG, SHAFTESBURY RD, CB2 8RU CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND