Diversity of Crabs in the Mangrove Ecosystem at Jono Beach, Lalang Village, Batu Bara Regency
Abstract
Batu Bara Regency is a coastal area in North Sumatra Province with high natural resource potential, both ecologically and in supporting the socioeconomic activities of local communities. It also provides habitat for various crab species that play an important role in maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems. This study aimed to determine crab diversity and its relationship with environmental parameters. The study employed an observational method with site selection using purposive sampling. The research was conducted from January to March 2026. Observations were carried out at three stations representing different mangrove substrate characteristics: Station I with sandy substrate, Station II with muddy substrate, and Station III with a mixture of sand, mud, and clay. Sampling was conducted using a 33-meter line transect with five plots measuring 5 × 5 m² arranged in a zig-zag pattern with a 2-meter distance between plots. Data analysis included abundance, relative abundance, diversity index, dominance, evenness, similarity, species richness, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results showed 19 Crustacea species belonging to five families, with the highest abundance recorded for Perisesarma lanchesteri, reaching 3.821 ind/m² and a relative abundance of 36.75%. The highest diversity was recorded at Station III (H’ = 2.67), categorized as moderate. The highest dominance index was recorded at Station I (0.10), categorized as low, while the highest evenness was also found at Station I (1.13), categorized as high. Species richness was highest at Station III (2.07), categorized as low. The highest similarity was observed between Stations I–III and II–III (0.91), categorized as very high. PCA indicated that environmental parameters, particularly temperature, air humidity, and light intensity, were associated with Crustacea diversity at Station III. These findings demonstrate the role of environmental parameters in shaping Crustacea diversity patterns.
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References
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