First library of fish DNA from Singapore waters

Of the 500 species in the database, five were previously not reported in the Republic

(Clockwise from top left) The spotted-tail frogfish, the Indian mud moray eel, the whitecheek monocle bream and the papillose flathead. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE MARINE FISHES EXPEDITION TEAM 2019
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

The fish were then preserved using diluted formaldehyde for fixation, and subsequently placed in ethanol for long-term storage at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

From the extracted tissue, researchers sequenced the CO1 gene, also known as the barcode gene, and the 12S gene, both used to identify the species.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 16, 2019, with the headline First library of fish DNA from Singapore waters. Subscribe