Distribution and Abundance of the Giant Clams (Cardiidae: Bivalvia) on Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia
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BIODIVERSITAS ISSN: 1412-033X Volume 20, Number 3, March 2019 E-ISSN: 2085-4722 Pages: 884-892 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d200337 Distribution and abundance of the giant clams (Cardiidae: Bivalvia) on Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia TEDDY TRIANDIZA1,2, NEVIATY P. ZAMANI2,♥, HAWIS MADDUPPA2, UDHI E. HERNAWAN3 1Tual Technical Management Unit for Marine Life Conservation, Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Jl. Merdeka, Watdek, Southeast Moluccas 97611, Maluku, Indonesia. 2Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Raya Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia. Tel.: : +62 251 8622909 – 8622911, Fax.: +62 251 8622907, ♥email: [email protected] 3Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Jl. Ancol Timur, North Jakarta 14430, Jakarta, Indonesia Manuscript received: 18 September 2018. Revision accepted: 27 February 2019. Abstract. Triandiza T, Zamani NP, Madduppa H, Hernawan UE. 2019. Distribution and abundance of the giant clams (Cardiidae: Bivalvia) on Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 884-892. Giant clams, ecologically important bivalves in coral reefs, are under anthropogenic pressures in most parts of their range, necessitating the study of population status for conservation management. Here, we assessed species composition, distribution, size density, and habitat condition of giant clams in Kei Islands. A total of 9 reefs around the islands (Dar 1, Dar 2, Pulau Kur, Pulau Tanimbar Kei, Pulau Adranan, Pulau Dullah Laut, Difur, Labetawi, dan Ohoidertoom), were surveyed using quadrat-transect line in September-December 2017. We found five species of giant clams, i.e., Tridacna crocea, T. maxima, T. squamosa, T. noae, and Hippopus hippopus. Of these species, we report a new record for T. noae which was previously not known to be present in the region. The overall density was recorded at 0.0428 individual/m2. Juveniles clams were fewer than the adults clam, this may indicate that the survival rate of recruit is low. Most individuals were found living on dead coral algae substrate (75 %). Based on the findings, this study suggests that giant clam population in Kei Islands are imperiled, indicated by low population density and local extinction for species T. gigas and T. derasa. It is recommended to establish a protected area and restocking of giant clams by through implementing sasi laut (traditional law) with a minimum period of 5 years. Keywords: Exploitation, mature hermaphrodite, shell, Tridacna derasa, Tridacna gigas INTRODUCTION and gametes of giant clams are food sources for predators and detritivores (Jantshen et al. 2008; Neo et al. 2015). The Giant clams are the biggest extant bivalves living in shells are used by epibionts as substrates to colonize (Mingoa- coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific (Lucas 1988). They live Licuanan and Gomez 2002; Vicentuan-Cabaitan et al. embedded in corals as well, sandy substrates or coral 2014), while ectoparasites and commensalism live within rubbles to a depth of up to 20 meters (Klumpp and Lucas the clams’ mantle cavity (Neo et al. 2015). Their structurally 1994; Knop 1996; Ramah et al. 2017). Its geographical complex shells are habitat for fishes to spawn, nurse, and distribution lies from the southern part of Africa to Pitcairn shelter (Neo et al. 2015). Calcium carbonate produced by Islands (Pacific Ocean) (32E-128W) and widens from the zooxanthellae living inside the mantle contributes to the northern part of Japan to the southern part of Australia structure and topography of coral reefs (Aline 2008; Neo et (240N-150S) (bin Othman et al. 2010; Neo et al. 2017). al. 2015). Giant clams also act as biofilter which can control This large geographical distribution of giant clams was eutrophication by filtering dissolved ammonia and nitrate likely due to the planktonic development phase which can in the water (Klumpp and Griffiths 1994; Neo et al. 2015). reach nine days before turning into the benthic organism Giant clams are iconic organisms. Not only ecologically (Lucas 1988; Triandiza and Kusnadi 2013). Giant clams important in coral reefs, but they also have high economic are a member of subfamily Tridacninae, family Cardiidae, value, driving overexploitation of their population. The consisting of two genera, namely Tridacna and Hippopus clam meat is great delicacies in some cultures. More than (Keys and Healy 2000). There are 12 extant species (Neo et 2,000 shells were illegally traded with a total transaction of al. 2017), of which eight can be found in Indonesia, i.e., USD 45,000 within the last five years in Indonesia (Nijman Tridacna gigas, T. derasa, T. maxima, T. squamosa, T. et al. 2015). The shells are used as raw materials for the crocea, T. noae, Hippopus hippopus, and H. porcelanus (Arbi ceramic industry and handicrafts (Heslinga 1995; Wabnnitz 2010; Hernawan 2012; Borsa et al. 2015; Sadili et al. 2015). et al. 2003). Furthermore, the juveniles are an important Ecologically, giant clams are important as they commodity for marine aquarium industry (Calumpong significantly contribute to coral reef productivity (Soo and 1992; Heslinga 1995; Kinch 2002; Wabnitz et al. 2003; Todd 2014; Neo et al. 2015). Cabaitan et al. (2008) found Gomez and Mingoa-Licuanan 2006; Neo and Loh 2014; that the abundance and diversity of fishes and other Nijman et al. 2015). organisms in degraded coral reefs were affected by the The overexploitation has led to population decrease, not presence of giant clams (T. gigas). Siphonal tissue, feces, only in Indonesia but also in other regions such as TRIANDIZA et al. – Giant clams on Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia 885 Australia, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Philippines (Krell et Continuous exploitation without regard to sustainability al. 2011; Lee 2014; Colbeck 2015; Gomez 2015). Most will likely threaten the giant clams population in the wild population surveys in Indonesia reported that giant clams’ as happened in Tongavera Lagoon, Cook Islands densities were >1 per m2 (Capenberg 2007; Yusuf et al. (Chambers 2007). 2009; Arbi 2010; Hernawan 2010; Naguit et al. 2012; Pada A population study of giant clams is necessary to et al. 2013; Ode 2017; Wakum et al. 2017). Population understand their current status. Population data on giant decrease in the wild might be related to the abundance clams in Kei Islands are very limited. As far as known, decrease, and the uneven species number found. Most of there have been only three reports: Kusnadi et al. (2008), the surveys reported that most populations were dominated Hernawan et al. (2010) and Triandiza and Kusnadi (2013). by T. crocea and T. maxima. Other species are very rare. In This study is aimed to gain data and information about the fact, it is believed that T. gigas has been in West Indonesia current status of giant clams in Kei Islands including their (Usher 1984; Wells 1997). composition, distribution, density, size distribution, and Kei Islands lie between 5o00’-6o00’S and 131o45’- habitat condition. The results from this study are expected 133o15’E. The islands are believed to have abundant to be the basis for giant clam management in Kei Islands. marine resources since they are situated between Banda Sea and Arafura Sea (Hernawan 2010). Oceanographically, Kei Islands are affected by monsoon system especially MATERIAL AND METHODS southeast monsoon (Prawirowardoyo 1996). The movement of the southeast monsoon was presumed to Site description trigger upwelling in Kei Islands waters increasing the This study was conducted in Kei Islands waters, ocean productivity. The region is geographically unique Southeast Moluccas from September to December 2017 and ecologically dynamic which supports the complex and and the sampling sites were located as follows: Dar 1 (S complete coastal ecosystem formation such as coral reefs, 05043'45.9"; E 132048'08.0"), Dar 2 (S 05044'20.2"; E seagrass beds, and mangroves. 132048'07.4"), Kur Island (S 05017'07.1"; E 132001'21.5”), Giant clams are one of the endangered protected species Tanimbar Kei Island (S 05059'13.29"; E 132027'53.28"), (Eliata et al. 2003), that still can be found in Kei Islands Adranan Island (S 05030'53.2''; E 132045'11.3"), Dullah waters (Kusnadi et al. 2008; Hernawan 2010; Hernawan et Laut Island (S 05033'05.9"; E 132044'43.2”), Difur (S al. 2010). Traditionally, the coastal community on Kei 05032'55.68"; E 132047'54.73”), Labetawi (S 05032'15.7"; Islands has utilized giant clams as a food source, E 132046'41.7”) and Ohoidertoom (S 05056'08.0''; E construction materials, and cultural practices (Kusnadi et 132042'27.8") (Figure 1). The study sites were determined al. 2008). Fresh giant clams’ meat was sold in the based on the information from local fishermen and traditional markets for IDR 20,000 (observed in 2016). previous studies. Figure 1. Study site locations in Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia; : This study; : Hernawan (2010) 886 BIODIVERSITAS 20 (3): 884-892, March 2019 Developmental stages of giant clams life based on Fitt (1991), Manu and Sone (1995) and Beckvard (1981). RESULT AND DISCUSSION Species composition Of eight species known to live in Indonesian waters (Neo et al. 2017; Borsa et al. 2015), four species were found during this study in Kei Islands, namely Tridacna crocea, T. squamosa, T. maxima, Hippopus hippopus; and one was T. noae (Figure 3). The number of species found in this study was lesser than previously reported by Hernawan (2010) which found six species in Kei Kecil Island waters, namely T. crocea, T. squamosa, T. maxima, Figure 2. Sketch of Giant Clams Sampling Based on Chambers T. derasa, T. gigas, and H. hippopus. Unfortunately, our (2007). Source: http: //www.freevector.com/ study did not find T. gigas and T. derasa. This was in accordance with their endangered population status (Usher 1984; Wells 1997), and IUCN redlist categorized both of Sampling method species in vulnerable (IUCN 2017).