Abstract
The body conditions indices were useful to determine an individual's well-being, and favorable food availability indicating a good environmental condition. The conditions of the mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) might be related to several environmental parameters. The study's aim was to analyze the key environmental parameters affecting the body condition of C. rotundicauda found in Banyuasin Estuary Waters. The sampling was conducted in July 2019 in Banyuasin Estuary Waters. The data of weight and prosomal width for C. rotundicauda were used to estimate the body conditions indices (relative condition factor). While the environmental parameters data were recorded for each sampling site. The backward stepwise regression was used to determine the key environmental parameters affecting the body condition indices. The best-fitted model (adjusted R2 = 91.9%; F = 60.102; p < 0.05) indicated several environmental parameters (salinity, pH, seafloor temperature, clay and silt contents) significantly affecting the body condition indices. Changes in the key environmental parameters could generate changes in the availability of favorable food for C. rotundicauda. The result also can be used as baseline data for determining the marine conservation areas as well as horseshoe crab management plan.
Highlights
In ecological studies, a body condition is used to determine an individual's nutritional or physiological status as well as evaluate the stored energy quantity, and indicate an individual's well-being (Bolger and Connolly 1989; Stevenson and Woods 2006; Pablo et al 2015)
The body weight (BW) of males ranged from 70 gram to 294 gram while the BW of females ranged from 100 gram to 880 gram
The body condition of C. rotundicauda varied in line with variations in environmental parameters at each sampling site
Summary
A body condition is used to determine an individual's nutritional or physiological status as well as evaluate the stored energy quantity, and indicate an individual's well-being (Bolger and Connolly 1989; Stevenson and Woods 2006; Pablo et al 2015). The body condition indices become a useful tool to estimate the fish body with favorable food availability indicating a good environment condition, a habitat quality as well as estimate fish and population abundances (Bennet 1970; Blackwell et al 2000; Arismendi et al 2011; Pablo et al 2015). Several factors (endogenous or exogenous) were related to the fish condition. The major endogenous factor affecting the fish conditions were sex, reproductive state, and age while the exogenous factors were parasitism as well as environmental conditions or food availability (Murphy et al 1990; Pablo et al 2015). The several environmental parameters (salinity, DO, temperature, and the percentage of pollutants) were influencing the larval development rate of horseshoe crabs (Botton et al 2010).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
