DNA Barcoding of Pelawan Merah ( Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff) from Bangka Islands utilizing nuclear DNA based on ITS gene

Abstract We are continuing the process of identifying Pelawan Merah and sharing information about the DNA barcoding of Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff. from Bangka Belitung Island, using the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene. The study followed several steps, including collecting leaf samples of Pelawan Merah from the Pelawan Namang Forest in Central Bangka Regency. Molecular methods were used to find the marker gene for Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff. The DNA barcoding process for Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff. resulted in a sequence that is 659 base pairs long in the ITS gene. Results from the BLAST DNA analysis show that the Pelawan Merah from the Pelawan Namang Forest in Central Bangka Regency has a 95% similarity with Tristaniopsis obovata found in South Bangka Regency and a 99% similarity with Tristaniopsis laurina found in New Zealand. Also, the phylogenetic tree analysis shows that the Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff. studied here is closely related to other species of Tristaniopsis obovata . This suggests that, just like in our earlier study using the RBCL gene, the ITS gene analysis can detect Tristaniopsis at a genetic level or higher, but more DNA barcoding region analyses are needed to fully confirm the identification of Pelawan Merah.