Genetic Diversity of Enhalus acoroides (L.) Royle from Coastal Waters of Pramuka Island, Lembongan Island, and Waigeo Island, Indonesia, Based on Microsatellite DNA

Enhalus acoroides (L.) Royle is one of sea grass species that is found in most Indonesian marine waters. A study was conducted to analyze genetic diversity of E. acoroides collected from waters of Pramuka Island, Lembongan Island and Waigeo Island, Indonesia using microsatellite DNA markers. Allele frequencies, observed and expected heterozigosities were calculated using GenAlEx 6.501. The average of observed heterozigosity was higher at Pramuka Island compared to the other two sites. In general, analysis of the genetic relationships revealed that E. acoroides collected from three sites in Indonesia were grouped based on their habitats although there are some exceptions. There is a possibility of gene flow between the three sampling areas. More samples and microsatellite primers have to be included to further confirm E. acoroides connectivity. Keywords: Enhalus acoroides, Genetic Diversity, Indonesia, Microsatellite DNA.