Distribution and characteristics of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790) in South Sulawesi

The Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Perciformes, Latidae), known as barramundi in Australia, as salamata and bale kanja in South Sulawesi, was first described by Bloch in 1790 under the name Holocentrus calcarifer. The euryhaline L. calcarifer is a high-value marine and freshwater fish, on a par with salmon and tuna. This species has a widespread distribution, but there has been a lack of research on the distribution and identification of the genus Lates in Indonesia, including in South Sulawesi. This research aimed to track the distribution of Asia seabass in South Sulawesi (Makassar Strait, Gulf of Bone and Flores Sea) with identification based on DNA barcoding and characterization based on morphological parameters. The results show that Asian seabass can be found from Takalar to Pinrang Regency in the Makassar Strait, along the coast of Bone Bay from Bone to Luwu Regency, and from Bantaeng Regency to Selayar Island. Nucleotide sequences of COI mtDNA representing four Asian seabass populations in the Makassar Strait and Gulf of Bone had 99.12-99.41% identity with Lates calcarifer sequences from Singapore, Malaysia and Australia (query cover 99-100%). L. calcarifer captured at Cenrana in Bone District had a distinctive silvery-yellowish-white colouring, unlike the silvery-greenish-white observed at the other sites. Body depth (BD) of L. calcarifer was 30.10-32.20% SL and on average caudal peduncle depth was 45.65 % BD. There were several morphological differences between L. calcarifer in this study and L. calcarifer from Thailand: dorsal spine and ray counts, anal ray count, and number of vertebrae.