Mudskipper diversity and its relationship to an environmental condition in estuary

Abstract

Mudskipper is a species of fish that mostly found in the estuaries and coastal areas with mud substrates. This fish can adapt to wet conditions and change temperatures by hiding in the holes around the mangrove. The purpose of this study was to identify the diversity of mudskipper fish according to the environmental conditions of estuarine in Merauke district. The study was conducted in April-June 2018, with two observation stations. These stations were based on the characteristic differences in the estuary waters of Merauke district. This study used purposive sampling method. Data analysis used an ecological index (diversity index, uniformity, and dominance). The results showed that the diversity index was a moderate category (1.5858-1.5845). The distribution of species and individuals were spread evenly in each community while the environmental parameters were temperature (23-300C), salinity (20-30 ppt), pH (7, 1-8,1), Do (1.55-2.16), BOD (0.42-0.89), BOT (11.14-29.39. The clay (muddy) substrates strongly supported mudskipper live in the estuary.