Potential invasive species detection of Demospongiae using environmental DNA in Sabang and Lhokseumawe Ports

Abstract

Sabang and Lhokseumawe Ports are located in the province of Aceh and constitute part of the northern Malacca Strait, sharing direct borders with neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and India. Strategic geographical location significantly influences the oceanographic conditions and biodiversity of the area. As marine organisms, sponges play a crucial role in the ecosystem, yet research on their identification in the Sabang and Lhokseumawe regions is limited. The analysis of community structure and identification of species can be conducted using various approaches, including environmental DNA (e-DNA) analysis. This study aimed to assess water quality and identify the presence of potentially invasive Demospongiae using DNA Metabarcoding in Sabang and Lhokseumawe Ports. The measurement results of the water conditions indicate that the waters around Sabang and Lhokseumawe ports generally exhibit values that support sponge life. e-DNA analysis successfully detected the presence of the Demospongiae class, with 260 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) in Sabang waters and 148 OTUs in Lhokseumawe waters. One commonly found genus, Cliona sp., has the potential to become invasive in both locations, posing a risk of bioerosion to corals under specific conditions.