Geometry Morphometry and Health Status of Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus, 1766) in Maratua Island, East Kalimantan-Indonesia

Firly Fathiya Maulida,Muhammad Ali Imron,Susilo Hadia,Thomas Reischig

doi:10.18502/kls.v3i4.693

Abstract

Research on hawksbill turtles in the Maratua Island is still very few. Meanwhile, population of hawksbills was believed to decline due to human exploitation. The aim of this research was to study the morphology of hawksbill through geometric morphometric approach and health status which includes the existence of epibionts, mechanical damages and Body Condition Index. The survey was conducted from 5 to 18 September 2014. The method used was the hand˗catching by snorkeling and diving for catching turtles, morphometric measurements and documentation of the turtle body parts using the camera. Morphological aspects were analyzed with linear regression and geometry approach with Microsoft Excel and ImageJ software. Health status was analyzed with observation of epibionts and mechanical damages through photos and calculation of Body Condition Index. There were 11 turtles that have been caught. The results indicated the growth of straight carapace length notch to tip affect the growth of the other body parts of hawksbill turtle and based approach to geometry, shape growth of hawksbill turtles that are found in Maratua not changed but only have added size. Based on the health status through observation epibionts, mechanical damages and analysis of Body Condition Index, hawksbill in Maratua still relatively healthy compared with studies elsewhere.<div> Keywords: Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766); geometry; Maratua; morphometry</div>

Highlights

East Kalimantan is one of four bio-breeding grounds and distribution regional of sea turtles [1]
The results indicated the growth of straight carapace length notch to tip affect the growth of the other body parts of hawksbill turtle and based approach to geometry, shape growth of hawksbill turtles that are found in Maratua not changed but only have added size
Based on the health status through observation epibionts, mechanical damages and analysis of Body Condition Index, hawksbill in Maratua still relatively healthy compared with studies elsewhere

Summary

Introduction

East Kalimantan is one of four bio-breeding grounds and distribution regional of sea turtles [1]. Maratua Island is the distribution regional of Hawksbill turtle [Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766)] in Derawan Islands, East Borneo. Status of Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus, 1766) in Maratua Island, East Kalimantan-Indonesia” in ICBS Conference Proceedings, Page 100. In addition to studying the variations in the shape of the body, research on morphometry important to learn about the causation [4]. The study of causation is likely to explain the relationship between human activities with the morphology of turtles on a particular area. The case is likely to be used as an example for research on the relationship of the turtles population body size in a particular area related to hunting activities [5]. Epibionts is an organism that attaches to the body of other organisms and can be used as one of indicator of the turtle health [6]

Study area

Data collection

Data analysis

Findings

Conclusions