Phylogenetic Position of Psittacula Parakeet Bird from Enggano Island, Based on Analyses of Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene

Enggano Island of Indonesia has Psittacula parakeet bird; namely Psittacula longicauda modesta. Phylogenetically, the position of the bird has not been studied yet. The present study used DNA sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene to analyze phylogenetic relationships within Psittacula parakeet birds; especially to reveal the phylogenetic position of Psittacula longicauda modesta. Blood samples were collected from two Psittacula species; Psittacula alexandri from Jawa island, and Psittacula longicauda (Psittacula longicauda modesta from Enggano island and P. l. defontainei from Natuna island). Blood samples were taken from each bird and DNA was extracted from each blood sample. PCR was performed to amplify a single fragment of cyt b gene, by using a pair of nucleotide primer. The DNA targets were then be sequenced. Totally 868-bp of cyt b was used to calculate genetic divergence within and between Psittacula parakeet, and to construct phylogenetic trees. DNA sequence data from others Psittacula species were taken from GenBank. Columba livia, Accipiter, and Cacatua were used as outgroup species. The mean genetic divergence within Psittacula longicauda was 2.16% for P. l. modesta vs P. l. defontainei, 2.37% for P. l. modesta vs P. l. longicauda, and 1.51% for P. l. defontainei vs P. l. longicauda. The mean genetic divergences within Psittacula were 0.0512 ± 0.0051. Both Phylogenetic (NJ and ML) trees showed that P. l. defontainea (Natuna is.) and P. l. longicauda grouped together and to be sister group, while the position of Psittacula parakeet from Enggano island (P. l. modesta) was distant from and as a sister group of (P. l. defontainei and P. l. longicauda). P. longicauda and P. alexandri group together and appeared to be sister group.