Ecology of horn snail (Telescopium telescopium, Linnaeus 1758) on mangrove ecosystem of Pantai Mayangan, West Java

Abstract

Abstract. Rahmawati G, Yulianda F, Samosir AM. 2013. Ecology of horn snail (Telescopium telescopium, Linnaeus 1758) on mangrove ecosystem of Pantai Mayangan, West Java. Bonorowo Wetlands 3: 41-49. The aim of this research was to know the influence of mangrove and abandoned ponds on the growth and population of horn snail (Telescopium telescopium, Linnaeus 1758) at Pantai Mayangan, Legon Kulon Subdistrict, Subang District, West Java. The study was conducted from May to October 2011 with monthly sampling intervals. Sampling was done in two places: abandoned pond (station 1) and mangrove area (station 2). Each station consists of 3 replications, using 1 x 1 m2 transects. Physical-chemical water parameters are measured in situ, whereas TDS, TSS, and COD are measured in the Laboratory of Productivity and Aquatic Environment, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor. The bottom substrate was sampled in the first month and last month of the study and was analyzed at the Soil Science Routine Laboratory, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor. The results showed that the density of horn snail population in mangrove areas was lower than in abandoned ponds. Based on Morisita’s index, the horn snail distribution pattern is uniform, random, and clumped. Horn snail has a negative allometric growth pattern with b <3, i.e., long growth is more dominant than weight growth. The condition factor of horn snails in abandoned ponds is higher than in mangrove areas. Physical-chemical water parameters generally support horn snail growth. The horn snail meat index indicates that the meat is lower than the shell weight. Horn snail can be managed by increasing the volume of pond water, recirculation system, use of pond or sedimentary channel to cope with low dissolved oxygen, mangrove planting to maintain ecosystem balance, and horn snail catching in abandoned pond area which has high horn snail density