Timun Laut Teluk Ambon, Maluku

Abstract

Sea Cucumbers of Ambon Bay, Maluku. Research on the diversity of marine life in Indonesian waters, particularly in Ambon Bay, Maluku, had started in 1705 by G.E. Rumphius. In the period thereafter until the year 2000s there was a possibility in changes of environmental conditions or habitat in Ambon Bay waters. Therefore, a study on the status of marine life in the waters of Ambon Bay and surrounding areas needed to be done. The research aimed to inventory sea cucumbers in Ambon Bay, which was conducted in July–October 2009 at 12 research stations. The method used was a free hand picking collection using snorkeling and scuba equipment. The result showed 18 species of sea cucumbers, two species of which (Holothuria atra, Opheodesoma grisea) have a wide distribution and habitat preference since they found in four to five sampling stations. The results of this inventory coupled with the results of previous studies based on literatures from 1990 showed there were 46 species of sea cucumbers in Ambon Bay, which were about 13% of the estimated number of sea cucumber species in Indonesia (±350 species). Fluctuations in the number and composition of sea cucumber species that successfully inventoried during the period of 1990s to this study are discussed in detail in this paper. There is a possibility to obtain new records, even new species in this location, along with the increase of understanding in method selection and species identification.