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Review
. 2024 Oct;17(10):2267-2285.
doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.2267-2285. Epub 2024 Oct 7.

Fish diversity assessment through conventional morphological identification and recent advances in Saudi Arabia: A review

Muhammad Browijoyo Santanumurti  1   2 , Muhammad Ar Rozzaaq Nugraha  3 , Novi Rosmala Dewi  3 , Muhammad Awaluddin  3 , Pei Wen Tang  3 , Helen Indah Pardede  4 , Lafi Al Solami  2 , Laksmi Sulmartiwi  5 , Mohamed Ahmed Abu El-Regal  2   6
Affiliations
Review

Fish diversity assessment through conventional morphological identification and recent advances in Saudi Arabia: A review

Muhammad Browijoyo Santanumurti et al. Vet World. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Fish identification in the Red Sea, particularly in Saudi Arabia, has a long history. Because of the vast fish diversity in Saudi Arabia, proper species identification is required. Indeed, identifying fish species is critical for biodiversity conservation, food and drug safety, and sustainable fishery management. Numerous approaches have been used to identify fish species, including conventional morphological identification, next-generation sequencing (NGS), nanopore sequencing, DNA barcoding, and environmental DNA analysis. In this review, we collected as much scientific information as possible on species identification in Saudi Arabia. Our findings suggest that the identification process has advanced and spread rapidly and broadly, as evidenced by the discovery of new fish species in Saudi Arabia. The advantages and disadvantages of each method were discussed as part of a comprehensive comparison. This study aimed to provide further scientific knowledge to promote the growth of fish diversity worldwide.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; fish diversity; identification process.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure-1
Figure-1
Location of the Red Sea surrounded by eight countries.
Figure-2
Figure-2
Primary morphological traits of the Cyprinidae species [33].
Figure-3
Figure-3
Typical morphometric data for fish identification [33].
Figure-4
Figure-4
A schematic representation of the essential phases of DNA barcoding and metabarcoding for species identification [103].
Figure-5
Figure-5
Example of environmental DNA application in marine mammals, including species, biodiversity, and genetic characterization [123].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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