Low genetic diversity of Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle from southeast coastal waters of Bali, Indonesia

Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle is one of the seagrass species widely distributed in Indonesia. In southeast coastal waters of Bali, Indonesia, E. acoroides can be found along Sanur Beach to Nusa Dua Beach. Enhalus acoroides acts as spawning and nursery ground for marine biota. The genetic diversity of E. acoroides needs to be evaluated to ensure the sustainability of E. acoroides populations. This research aimed to determine the genetic diversity of E. acoroides from southeast coastal waters of Bali, Indonesia using PCR-RAPD. Leaf samples were collected from Segara Ayu Beach, Semawang Beach and Samuh Beach, Bali. DNA isolation was done using CTAB buffer followed by extraction with chloroform and isoamylalcohol. PCR-RAPD were performed in 20 µl reaction and 11 RAPD primers were tested. PCR products were visualised using 1.8 % agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. Results showed that only three primers produced polymorphic DNA bands. Furthermore, the three populations had low genetic diversity as measured by heterozygosity (He) where the values for the population from Segara Ayu Beach, Semawang Beach and Samuh Beach were 0.293, 0.142 and 0,244 respectively. Analysis of fixation index (FST) showed that population of Segara Ayu Beach differed with the population of Semawang Beach and Samuh Beach, while there was no differentiation between the population of Semawang Beach and Samuh Beach, Bali, Indonesia