Diversity and Density of Fauna Ekinodermata in Liang and Suli Waters, Ambon Island, Maluku

Abdul Wahab Radjab, Dominggus Polnaya, Wempy Barends, and Ahmad Ainarwowan

Research Center for Deep Sea, Indonesian Institute of Science, Indonesia

Abstract: Liang and Suli waters are located on Ambon Island, Maluku. The waters are quite rich with fishery resources such as fish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, crabs, shrimp and algae. Research on species diversity and density of echinoderms in the waters of Liang and Suli, Ambon Island, Central Maluku, Maluku needs to be conducted given the lack of data and information about the biota. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity and density of echinoderms in the waters of Liang and Suli, Ambon Island, Maluku. This research was conducted in January-September 2016, sampling was carried out by the transect method and free collection at 2 locations that contained echinoderms. The results showed that there were 19 species of echinoderms found, from 8 families, 6 orders and 4 classes. Whereas the density of echinoderms (ind/m²) based on class groups in Liang and Suli waters, Ambon Island, Central Maluku, Maluku was highest in the Echinoidea class of 0.006 ind/m² which was dominated by sand habitats overgrown with seagrass in Suli waters and the lowest in the Holothuroidea class of 0.002 ind/m² dominated by sand habitats overgrown with algae in Liang waters.

Key words: diversity, density, fauna ecinoderms, Liang and Suli waters, Maluku