Species identification and spawning of sea turtle at Meti Island North Halmahera Regency

Abstract

Sea turtles are large, air-breathing reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. With long lifetimes and wide-ranging migration patterns, sea turtles are exposed to many sources of danger both in coastal area and in the open sea, including environmental accidents. Sea turtles are most endanger and threaten with extinction, many are listed in the IUCN Red List or at CITES list. The objective of this study was to identify sea turtles species in Meti Island, their nesting area and its characteristics. Data on nesting area obtained from direct observation and interview with the local community. The result showed that there are three species of sea turtles found in Meti Island i.e. Chelonian mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, and Lepidocheys olivacea. There are two locations of nesting area i.e. the coastal area of Meti Island and Pasir Timbul Island The characteristic of the substrate at nesting area was medium sand, fine sand, and coarse sand. The slope of the coast of nesting area is approximately 350 at Meti Island while the upper side at Timbul Island was steeper with approximately 400. Marine flora at the nesting site is dominated by seagrass and sargassum which is suitable for nesting area for sea turtle. Shore vegetation at Meti Island consist of Hernandia nymphaeifolia, Scaevola taccada, Thespesia populnea, Pandanus sp, Guettarda speciosa, Terminalia catappa, Crinum asiaticum, Millettia pinnata, Cycas circinalis, Thuarea involute, Cardia subcordata while shore vegetation of Pasir Timbul Island consist of Ipomoea pes-caprae, Wedelia biflora, Spinifex littoreus, Scaevola taccada, Argusia argentea, Terminalia catappa, Pandanus sp, Hernandia nymphaeifolia, and Cocos nucifera.