DENSITY, LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP, AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF THE GASTROPODA Cerithidea anticipata IN THE MANGROVE FOREST ECOSYSTEM OF KARANG INDAH SUBDISTRICT, MERAUKE Sendy Lely Merly (a*), Reny Sianturi (b), Lindon Pane (c), Emanuel N. Kagayemu (d)
a) Aquatic Resources Management Study Program, Universitas Musamus, Merauke, 99611, Indonesia *sendy.melatunan0331[at]gmail.com
b,c,d) Aquatic Resources Management Study Program, Universitas Musamus, Merauke, 99611, Indonesia
Abstract
Karang Indah Subdistrict is one of the subdistricts in Merauke Regency that has a high intensity of community activity. As an area bordering the Maro River, it has a mangrove forest ecosystem that functions as a buffer ecosystem and a ship traffic area that also supports the economy of Merauke Regency. This research aims to determine the density, length-weight relationship, and distribution patterns of the Cerithidea anticipata, which is known to be a native inhabitant of the mangrove forest ecosystem. There are two observation stations, with sampling using the purposive sampling method. At each Station, 15 quadrants measuring 1x1 m were placed with two repetitions. This research lasted for three months, from March to May 2022. The total quadrants at the two observation stations were 60 quadrants. The research results showed that the highest density of the Cerithidea anticipata was at Station II with 11,233 ind/m2, while Station I had a density value of 6,867 ind/m2. The relationship between shell length and weight of Cerithidea anticipata at Station I shows a value of 2.7896 with the equation W = 0.1464L0.4705 and R2 0.2463 so that the growth pattern is Negative Allometric, while at Station II, it is 3.5156 with the equation W = 0.7293L-0.2682 and R2 0.2162 so the spread is Positive Allometric. Regarding the distribution pattern of the Cerithidea anticipata, it is divided based on shell length, namely category 1 (3.08-3.71 cm), category 2 (2.45-3.07 cm), category 3 (1.80-2.44 cm) and category 4 (1.20-1.79cm). For Station I in shell length categories 1-3, the distribution pattern is clustered, while in Category 4, it tends to be uniform. Meanwhile, at Station II, shell length categories 1 and 2 are clustered, while 3-4 are uniform. Overall, the adult Cerithidea anticipata (shell length 2.45-3.71 cm) has a clustered distribution pattern for the distribution pattern.
Keywords: Cerithidea, Density, Length-Weight Relationship, Distribution Pattern, Merauke.
