Diversity of Owl Endemic Minahasa, Otus manadensis, through DNA Barcoding techniques

In this paper, the results of mitochondrial COI sequences extracted from the Otus manadensis, typical owl of Minahasa, are reported and compared with COI sequences from other parts of the world. The results of phylogenetic analysis reveal that there are three distinctive groups of typical owls: (i) the Otus manadensis (ii) mainland Asia, and (iii) African owls. The phylogenetic topology also highlights that there is similar clade between Otus manadensis and those from the Philippines, as well as a significant divergence between Otus manadensis and those of African species (Otus hartlaubi and Otus feae). Therefore, it can be said that Otus manadensis occupies a unique position in the classification of owls. These results also allow further research to better assess the taxonomic status of typical owls according to its peculiarities that may not be identified through traditional taxonomy.