Microplastic Analysis in Fish Larvae (Family: Gonostomatidae and Myctophidae) from the Banggai Sea, Indonesia

Authors

• Noer Kholis, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
• Luqman Ilyas Ardito, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
• Luqmanul Hakim, Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
• Augy Syahailatua, Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
• Agus Saleh Atmadipoera, Marine Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
• Rina Zuraida, Research Center for Climate and Atmosphere, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
• Tuan Nurul Sabiqah Tuan Anuar, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Malaysia
• Mufti Petala Patria, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is recognized as a threat to marine ecosystems, yet its impacts on early life stages of mesopelagic fishes remain poorly understood. This study investigated the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic ingestion in fish larvae of the families Myctophidae and Gonostomatidae from the Banggai Sea, Indonesia. Morphometric measurements and microplastic content were analyzed in 40 larvae (20 per family). Gonostomatidae larvae, despite being smaller in total length, exhibited significantly larger mouth widths and ingested more microplastic particles (mean = 3.90 ± 0.72 particles) than Myctophidae (mean = 3.40 ± 0.38 particles). Correlation analysis showed no significant relationships between morphometric traits and microplastic abundance. Transparent and purple particles dominated ingestion profiles, while red and black particles were detected only in Myctophidae. Fiber-shaped particles composed predominantly of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the most abundant in both taxa. Statistical analyses (Mann–Whitney U, chi-square, and correspondence analysis) revealed significant differences in particle color composition between families (χ² = 23.73, p = 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.403) but not in particle shape. These findings highlight that species-specific traits may influence microplastic exposure during early developmental stages, providing new insights into pollution pathways affecting oceanic food webs in the Indo-Pacific deep-sea environment.

Recommended Citation

Kholis, Noer; Ardito, Luqman Ilyas; Hakim, Luqmanul; Syahailatua, Augy; Atmadipoera, Agus Saleh; Zuraida, Rina; Tuan Anuar, Tuan Nurul Sabiqah; and Patria, Mufti Petala (2026) "Microplastic Analysis in Fish Larvae (Family: Gonostomatidae and Myctophidae) from the Banggai Sea, Indonesia," Makara Journal of Science: Vol. 30: Iss. 2, Article 9.
DOI: 10.7454/mss.v30i2.3069
Available at: https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/science/vol30/iss2/9