First record of the genus Phyllorhiza spp. (Cnidaria; Scyphozoa, Mastigiidae) in the coastal waters of Malaysia

This study employed two mitochondrial markers, 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) for species identification and resolved the taxonomic and systematic as well as population genetics of Phyllorhiza spp. in the coastal waters of Malaysia. A total number of 65 individuals sampled from three location s representing the three regions fringing the coastline. Phylogenetic trees constructed using Mega 5.0 software and Kimura 2-parameter with 1000 bootstrap replication were used to test reliability. The molecular data in complement with morphological differentiation revealed, at least three different species for the genus Phyllorhiza , Phyllorhiza punctata inhabit the coasts of Peninsular Malaysia while Phyllorhiza sp.2 and Phyllorhiza sp.3 which were only observed in East Peninsular Malaysia. The results of the current study also highlighted that colour alone is not sufficient for species differentiation of Phyllorhiza spp. The blue morphotype of Phyllorhiza sp.1 observed in East Peninsular Malaysia was genetically identical to the brown morphotype observed in Northwest of Peninsular and recognised as P. punctata while the presence of Phyllorhiza sp.2 and Phyllorhiza sp.3 have never been recorded before in Malaysia. Consequently, understanding the taxonomy of local and invasive jellyfishes are necessary requirements for their management.