Phylogenetic distribution and functional group analysis of Indian horseshoe crab found in coastal region of Bay of Bengal

Phylogenetic studies are significant for addressing diverse biological relationships among species, their origin, the demographic changes and migration patterns of species. There are two species of horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus... [ view full abstract ]

Phylogenetic studies are significant for addressing diverse biological relationships among species, their origin, the demographic changes and migration patterns of species. There are two species of horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius rotundicaeuda found in the regions coast of Odisha, India. Conservation of Indian horseshoe crabs become a challenge as their number decreases due to various human activities. Therefore, studies were planned to assess their distribution by determining phylogenetic relationship and functional group analysis. Exploration of molecular phylogenetics of Indian horseshoe crabs collected from three different locations of Odisha, India, a set of genetic data was required. To evaluate the genetic relationship, partial sequencing (~700bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) from three individual horseshoe crab gills using Universal" DNA primers were carried out. Phylogenetic and BLAST analyses revealed that all the species collected in this study were Tachypleus gigas having genbank accession numbers: KU880543, KU880544, KT380891. Investigation on the functional groups of Tachypleus Amebocyte Lysate was carried out by FTIR analysis. Spectra validated strong peaks between 3299.61cm^-1 to 1449.24 cm-¹ and1238.08cm-¹to 1078.98cm-1 for O-H stretching N-H stretching bend respectively. The structural identity represents signifying secondary group of amides and fatty acids where as N-H stretching validates the occurrence of protein group. The conclusion reveals that molecular phylogenetic and functional analysis will be helpful in understanding divergence of evolution of T.gigas.

Keywords: Horseshoe crab; Molecular Phylogenetics; Functional Groups; FTIR