Ecological indexes of seasonal decapod crustaceans in Tiworo Strait of Southeast Sulawesi waters, Indonesia

• Published in: Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 2005 - 2017
• Main Authors: Sara, La, Suherman, Agus, Muhajirah, Eva, Safilu, Permatahati, Yustika I, Ramadian, Afzil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cluj-Napoca Bioflux SRL 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Aquatic crustaceans; Biodiversity; Bycatch; Crabs; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Data collection; Distribution patterns; Dominance; Ecosystems; Fish; Fishing; Fluctuations; Food chains; Forests; Geographical distribution; Gillnets; Habitats; Marine crustaceans; Sediments; Straits; Swimming; Sulawesi; Indonesia
• ISSN: 1844-8143

The ecological indexes of decapod crustaceans (DCs) in the Tiworo Strait have not been previously studied, despite the area being subject to exploitation. The study aimed to understand the ecological indexes of DCs in different habitats within the Tiworo Strait. Monthly samples were collected using crab pots at specific stations, with gillnets utilized where this was not possible. The collected data were then analyzed using ecological indexes, including the diversity index (H'), uniformity index (J'), dominance index (C), and distribution pattern index (Id). The results revealed the identification of 12 DC species, with the blue swimming crab (BSC) being dominant across all stations. Other dominant DCs included Charybdis anisodon, Charybdis heilerii, and Thalamita crenata. The diversity index (H') of DCs generally showed low values, with moderate values in certain months observed at stations 2, 3, and 4, respectively (from 4 stations which were labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4). Similarly, the uniformity index (J') generally indicated stability within the community, and only at station 1 in May had a low J' value, as it had a lower diversity. Fluctuations in the diversity and uniformity indexes at each station and month suggested moderate and low dominance (C), signifying that certain species were not dominating others, resulting in a stable (moderate C) or striving towards an unstable (low C) DCs community. These conditions indicated low productivity, with high dominance (C) only observed at station 3 in March and station 1 in April and May. Despite fluctuations in the diversity, uniformity, and dominance indexes, the distribution pattern index (Id) remained random, indicating that these species were capable of adapting to the characteristic waters of the Tiworo Strait. This data suggests a "serious early warning" for DCs management, particularly emphasizing the need to minimize bycatch and the discarding of species.