The dynamic of spiny lobster larvae abundance in Awang Bay waters of Lombok Island, Indonesia

Abstract

The activity of catching the lobster larvae that has been increased for the long term will bring a negative effect to the lobster population on earth. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to get a better knowledge about the dynamic of spiny lobster larvae abundance and its relation to the condition of the waters spatially and temporally in Awang Bay Waters of Lombok Island, Indonesia. The data collection covered the lobster larvae abundance and the quality of waters which included the physical parameter, chemistry, and phytoplankton. There were 5 random stations collected in research location. The observation of lobster larvae abundance did by installing the collector tools where the collection of the larvae is the amount of the whole collector in each station. The measurement of the waters parameter quality did directly on location and the analysis did on the laboratory. The result of the research shows that lobster larvae consist of 2 species which were Panulirus homarus (82,9%) and Panulirus ornatus (17,1%). Lobster larvae were found dominantly on January and February with the abundance 62-76 ind./unit and found more around the bay side and influenced by the condition of the water's quality. The lobster larvae abundance were positively correlated to the phytoplankton abundance, salinity, brightness, temperature, flow, turbidity, nitrate, and phosphate. Meanwhile, the larvae abundance were negatively correlated to the pH and dissolved oxygen.