Mitochondrial genes diversity among the critically endangered black-winged myna bird (Acridotheres melanopterus) in captivity

The Black-winged Myna (Acridotheres melanopterus) is a critically endangered passerine bird. The species occurs on Java, Bali, and Lombok, Nusa Tenggara islands of Indonesia. One subspecies; A. m. melanoptherus is endemic in the Western part of Java island and ex-situ conservation is being done in Animal Rescue Centre in West Jawa. This study aims to assess the diversity of two mitochondrial genes; COI and Cyt-b from captive birds. A total of 24 samples were collected for DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing. A single DNA fragment of COI and Cyb-b were amplified using differential oligonucleotide primer pair. Neigborn-joining trees based on both genes were constructed. Data of 624 bp of COI gene and 657 bp of Cyt-b gene were analyzed and resulted in differential variable sites and intraspecific genetic distances of both genes. Six variable sites were found in the COI sequences and 8 variable sites were found in the. Cyt-b sequences. Average intraspecific genetic distance was 0.0011 ± 0.0001 for COI and 0.002 ± 0.0003 for Cyt-b. Nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity of the two genes showed little difference, i.e 0.00206 ± 0.00098 and 0.578 ± 0.045 for COI; 0.00242 ± 0.045 and 0.606 ± 0.062 for Cyt-b, respectively. These results indicated a low genetic diversity of captive birds. This information can be useful to support further conservation.