Abstract. Madduppa H, Putri ASP, Wicaksono RZ, Subhan B, Akbar N, Ismail F, Arafat D, Prabuning D, Sani LMI, Srimariana ES, Baksir A, Bengen DG. 2020. Morphometric and DNA Barcoding of endemic Halmaheran walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera, Allen, 2013) in North Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3331-3343. The walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera) commonly referred to as bamboo shark, is a shark species that belongs to the Hemiscyllidae family which is endemic in North Maluku, and Indonesian waters. These Hemiscyllium species are generally confined to the Australian-New Guinea region, save a specie which originates from Halmahera, an Indonesian island. Ever since its discovery, sufficient information on its existence has been largely unavailable. Hence, the purpose of this study is (1) to assess the morphology, using meristic measurements and length-weight relationship, and (2) to determine the molecular characteristics through DNA barcoding, phylogenetic reconstruction, and genetic diversity. The samples used in this research were obtained from Halmahera Archipelago, North Maluku, including Halmahera, Tidore, Ternate, Maitara, and Guraici in several expeditions between March 2017 and January 2018. 36 individuals in total were measured for morphometric parameters including Total Length (TL), Standard Length (SL), Head Length (HL), Body Circumference (BC), and Body Weight (BW). Out of a total of 36 sharks, tissue samples were obtained from 32 individuals for molecular identification. After the required measurements were obtained, all individuals sharks were released back to their habitat safely. Equations of linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between length and weight. Morphometric measurements indicated that the average total length of the walking shark samples obtained, were not more than 75± cm for both male and female specimens. The length-weight analysis revealed a positive allometric growth pattern in H. halmahera species, where weight was gained faster than an increase in length. The results of the DNA fragment length analysis from all samples were 793-bp. All 32 tissue samples identified as H. halmahera consisted of 3 samples from Ternate Island, 14 samples from Maitara Island, 9 samples from Guraici Island (South Halmahera), 10 samples from Central Halmahera, and 2 samples from Tidore Island. These results confirmed that DNA subsequence analysis indicates that H. halmahera is different from those sequences extracted from Genbank in the Australia-New Guinea region. This study successfully identified H. halmahera based on their morphological and molecular characters, and has therefore contributed to international genetic database (Barcoding Of Life Database-BOLD) for further studies.

Halmahera Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera) is an endemic fish in the North Maluku sea. This species was first discovered in two spots of Halmahera waters namely Ternate and Bacan in 2013. Halmahera Epaulette Shark research was continue in Weda and Kao Bay in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Those previous studies, however, did not reveal the morphological description of this species in the other part of the Halmahera Islands. This research was made to enhance the information about this species from the other part of Halmahera waters with a purpose to describe the morphology of Halmahera epaulette shark. The study was carried out in remote areas of Loleo, Tidore, Maitara, Mare, and Lelei Island in 2018. Photos of fish were documented, some meristic and morphometric characters and body weigt were measured. Halmahera epaulette shark has many local names. Observation results showed that many dark brown spots with different patterns and shapes were present with 0.5-1.2 cm in diameter. The total and standard lengths were 40-63 cm and 35-55 cm, respectively. Head length and head width ranged from 7-12 cm and 3-6 cm, respectively. The head height ranged from 9-10 cm. The body circumference of fish ranged between 11-24 cm. Pectoral fins length ranged from 4-6 cm. The dorsal fin length ranged from 5-6 cm. The lower tail length ranged from 4-6 cm. The upper tail length ranged from 4-6 cm. Fish mouth type is subterminal with pointed teeth.

Ekosistem mangrove merupakan habitat hidup serta tempat berkembang bagi biota bentik dan ikan. Aktivits dikawasan pesisir desa Tewe sangat tinggi, sehingga memberikan dampak pada ekosistem mangrove. Pemanfaatan tidak berkelanjutan memberikan pengaruh terhadap jumlah dan sebaran mangrove. Informasi tentang nilai ekologi mangrove sangat penting, guna memberikan gambaran kondisi mangrove saat ini. Pengambilan contoh mangrove, di lakukan dengan menggunakan metode transect quadrant dan spot check. Hasil penelitian diperoleh ketebalan hutan mangrove dikawasan Desa Tewe berdasarkan pengamatan adalah 412 meter (Stasiun I),  389  meter (Stasiun II), 367 meter (Stasiun III). Komposisi jenis hutan mangrove dari hasil pengamatan dan identifikasi diperoleh sebanyak 9 jenis dari 5 famili. Hasil analisis  menunjukan struktur komunitas hutan mangrove di Desa Tewe berdasarkan indeks ekologi (nilai kerapatan, frekuensi jenis, tutupan dan nilai penting)  baik, sedangkan keanekaragaman spesies masngrove termasuk dalam kategori sedang. Akan tetapi aktivitas pemanfaatan perlu mendapatkan perhatian khusus, sehingga kelestarian dan kehadiran mangrove tetap terjaga. Selain itu  perlu suatu pendekatan pada masyarakat untuk membantu memberikan informasi terhadap peran, manfaat dan juga strategi pengelolaan serta pelestarian mangrove kedepan.Kata kunci : Desa Tewe, indeks ekologi, ekosistem mangrove , spot check , transect quadrant

Kawasan pesisir Pulau Maitara memiliki potensi mangrove, lamun dan terumbu karang. Ekosistem terumbu karang menyediakan tempat hidup untuk berbagai jenis organisme laut. Ikan karang merupakan organisme laut yang mendiami karang untuk dijadikan sebagai tempat tinggal. Perairan pulau Maitara kaya akan keanekaragaman karang tetapi data dan informasi untuk ikan karang masih sangat sedikit. Tujuan penelitian untuk memperoleh data struktur komunitas ikan karang. Penelitian dilakukan pada April 2018. Metode pengambilan data ikan karang menggunakan metode underwater visual census (UVC).Pengambilan data kualitas air dilakukan pada setiap stasiun pengamatan. Analisis data ikan karang meliputi kelimpahan, keanekaragaman jenis, dominansi dan keseragaman jenis. Hasil penelitian menunjukan parameter lingkungan perairan mendukung kehidupan terumbu karang dan biota perairan. Identifikasi ikan karang ditemukan 8 famili, 19 genus dan 54 spesies dengan total individu 460 ekor. Ikan karang ditemukan tiga kelompok yakni ikan indikator, ikan target dan ikan mayor. spesies dari genus Chaetodon banyak ditemukan dibandingkan dengan yang lain. Kelimpahan ikan karang berdasarkan stasiun pengamatan diperoleh stasiun I yakni 0,51 ind/m 2 , stasiun II 0,39 ind/m 2 III yaitu 0,41 ind/m 2 . Kelimpahan ikan indikator adalah 0,50 individu/m 2 , ikan target 0,77 ind/m 2 dan ikan mayor 0,05 ind/m 2 . Indeks keanakeragaman ikan ditemukan secara keseluruhan masuk dalam kategori tinggi, nilai indek dominansi yang ditemukan memperlihatkan dominansi yang rendah dan indeks keseragaman jenis menunjukan bahwa komunitas dalam keadaan stabil. Kata kunci : Dominansi, ikan karang, kelimpahan, keanekaragaman, keseragaman, pulau Maitara dan underwater visual census.

Seagrass ecosystems are located between mangrove ecosystems and coral reefs. Seagrass ecosystems are habitats and foraging area for many marine organisms. Eco-biological cycles in seagrass ecosystems are important for maintaining populations of many organisms. Seagrass at Hiri Island is distributed horizontally along the coast. This island is also a location where Dugong dugon is found North Maluku. Dugong dugon is a vurneable species that has been included in the IUCN and Appendix I Cites. This study aimed to identify species, density of seagrass and existence of Dugong dugong. The survey method used quadratic transect method to collect seagrass data. The Results found 6 species of seagrass at Hiri Island. Five species of those seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata, Cymodecea rotundata, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila spinulosa) are known as food of Dugong dugon. The highest species density was shown by Halodule uninervis. The presence of Dugong dugon and its feeding trail was found during field survey. Information on seagrass species and Dugong dugon sightings location can be used for endangered species conservation policies. Management and conservation efforts need to be done to maintain seagrass ecosystem and Dugong dugon potential habitat at Hiri Island.