Diversity and distribution patterns of Sea Urchins (echinoidea) in the waters of Doreng Beach, Sikka Regency, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Echinoidea is a marine biota with many important roles in life. Echinoidea can be found in various sea and water areas, one of which is in the waters of Doreng Beach. The rampant exploitation activities and minimal efforts to conserve Echinoidea in the waters of Doreng Beach have caused the diversity of Echinoidea to decline. This study aimed to identify the types of Echinoidea and analyze their abundance and distribution patterns in the waters of Doreng Beach. This research was conducted on October 1 -November 1, 2022. The type of research conducted was qualitative descriptive research with a field observation approach. The method used was the quadrat sampling method. Observations were carried out at three stations, each with 15 quadrat plots measuring 1 x 1 m2. The results of the study showed that there were eight species in the waters of Doreng Beach, namely Echinometra mathei, Echinometra viridis, Diadema setosum, Diadema savignyi, Echinothrix calamaris, Echinothrix diadema, Tripneustes gratilla and Tripneustes Ventricosus. The highest abundance is from the species Echinometra mathei, with a value of 4.62 ind/m2, and the lowest is Diadema savignyi, with a value of 0.02 ind/m2. The distribution pattern of Echinoidea in Doreng Beach Waters is clustered with a moisten index value of 5.5.