Preliminary study on domestication of coconut crab (Birgus latro)

Abstract

<p>Preliminary study on domestication of coconut crab (<em>Birgus latro</em>) had been done since June - November 2004 and December - 2005 February 2006. Study was carried out in two locations namely Laboratory of Sekolah Tinggi Kelautan dan Perikanan, Palu to study adult crab, and Laboratory of Ecobiology of Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Bogor Agricultural University to study crab in clomang stage. Adult crabs were collected by using some fishing gears namely trap, net and directly using bamboo stick. Domestication was done in rearing batch sized 1x1x1 m<sup>3</sup> with artificial nests (30x15x15 cm<sup>3</sup>), and small batch for water (7x10x10 cm<sup>3</sup>). While for clomang stage, crabs were reared in aquarium (80x40x40 cm<sup>3</sup>) with debris and small water batch. Result showed that adult crab had a survival rate around 12.5-0%, and mortality around 50-87.5%. A similar result was also in clomang stage, which was 12.5% for survival rate and 87.5% for mortality. Adult coconut crab was preferred to feed coconut than other food likely vegetable and chick.</p> <p>Keywords: domestication, coconut crab, <em>Birgus latro</em>, food habit</p> <p> </p> <p>ABSTRAK</p> <p>Penelitian awal mengenai kajian awal penangkaran kepiting kelapa (<em>Birgus latro</em>) dilakukan pada bulan Juni - November 2004 dan Desember 2005 Februari 2006. Pelaksanaan penelitian di lakukan di dua tempat, yaitu Laboratorium Sekolah Tinggi Kelautan dan Perikanan, Palu untuk percobaan kepiting dewasa, dan Laboratorium Ekobiologi Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan IPB Bogor, untuk percobaan kepiting tahap klomang. Kepiting dewasa ditangkap dengan menggunakan beberapa peralatan a.l. perangkap, jaring dan secara langsung dengan tongkat. Penangkaran dilakukan di bak-bak peliharaan berukuran 1x1x1 m<sup>3</sup> yang dilengkapi dengan tempat persembunyian (30x15x15 cm<sup>3</sup>), dan bak kecil tempat air (7x10x10 cm<sup>3</sup>). Sedangkan kepiting tahap klomang dipelihara di akuarium (80x40x40 cm<sup>3</sup>) yang diberi daun/serasah dan tempat air. Hasil uji coba penangkaran kepiting kelapa dewasa menunjukkan bahwa tingkat survival rate berkisar 12,5-50%, dan tingkat mortalitasnya sebesar 50-87,5%. Keadaan yang serupa juga dijumpai pada stadia klomang dimana survival ratenya sebesar 12,5% dan mortalitasnya sebesar 87,5%. Dari uji coba makanan yang diberikan, diketahui bahwa kepiting dewasa kebanyakan lebih menyukai kelapa, dibandingkan jenis makanan yang berupa sayur ataupun ayam.</p> Kata kunci: penangkaran, kepiting kelapa (<em>Birgus latro</em>), makanan.