Morphometric and Meristic Characters of Mangrove Crabs (Scylla paramamosain) in Mangrove Ecosystem of Kurau Barat Village, Central Bangka District

Abstract

West Kurau Village is one of the villages in Central Bangka Regency. West Kurau Village has a relatively good mangrove ecosystem and is a habitat for mangrove crabs. The utilization of mangrove crabs in West Kurau Village is quite intensive because in general local fishermen catch mangrove crabs for sale or for daily food. This study aims to determine the morphometric and meristic characteristics of mangrove crabs, mangrove crab growth patterns and environmental condition factors. The research was conducted in January-February 2023 in the Mangrove Ecosystem of West Kurau Village. The research method used purposive sampling method and data analysis using hierarchical cluster analysis and regression analysis. The results of cluster analysis resulted in the closest similarity at stages 1 to 11 with a coefficient value of 0.000 (closest) while the farthest similarity at stage 32 which consists of samples no. 1 and 5 with a coefficient value of 14.685. Negative and positive allometric growth patterns, station I value b = 3.04, station II value b = 3.10 and at station III value b = 2.76. Average temperature 27.5°C, pH 6.5-7, dissolved oxygen 5.8-6.8 mg/l, salinity 18.6-20.3‰. Substrate texture of station I sandy loam, station II and III sandy clay loam.