Morphologies description of Halmahera epaulette shark endemic species (Hemiscyllium halmahera, Allen & Erdmann, 2013) in North Maluku Sea

Abstract

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.

Morphometrics and long-weight relationship Halmahera walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera, Allen, 2013) population in Morotai Island Sea, North Maluku, Indonesia

“…External conditions such as coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves as habitats and bioecological areas need support. The results study are similar to those found [21], [22], [30], [42], [47]. Clasper morphology and female genitalia in the Hemiscylliidae family have high similarity [21], [48].…”

“…Morphometrics. The morphometric variables were measured using a 100 cm ruler on the TL (total length), SL (standard length), HL (head length), HW (head width), PFL (pectoral fin length), AFL (anal fin length), DFL (dorsal fin length), LTL (lower tail length), BC (body circumference) [22], [30] Figure 2. The morphometric data were tabulated using Microsoft Excel and analyzed.…”

Halmahera walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera) in south Morotai, North Maluku and the importance of marine protected areas for endemic species conservation

“…Documentation of the H. halmahera was taken at 11 am on 8 April 2022 at a depth of 7 m during the only sighting recorded with a GoPro 10 Action Camera with an automatic underwater setting. The temperature recorded at the sighting time was 29 o C. Photographs and video stills were taken during the encounter and were identified based on morphological features based on several scientific publications focusing on this species [1], [3], [4]. Based on the documentation (Figures 3 and 4), we distinguished its species by its shape and colour pattern [1].…”

“…The Total length of this species is not more than 80 cm according to Allen et al 2013, and another study by Madduppa et al 2013 shows a maximum TL of 74 cm and an average TL of 52.3±10.2 cm for both species (N=32). The recorded depth of this species is mostly around 3-10 m [1], [3], [4], with a maximum depth recorded at 18 m in other studies [5].…”

“…Since the first discovery of this species in 2013, there are still limited studies regarding their distribution, biology, ecology, and conservation approaches. Based on the historical records of the distribution of H. Halmahera species, the current known distribution is within the northwestern Ternate Island (Ternate City); Kao Bay (North Halmahera District); Tidore, Maitara, Mare Island (Tidore Islands IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1221/1/012078 2 City); Loleo (Central Halmahera District) and Proco Island, Bacan Island, Guraici, Weda Bay and Lei-Lei (South Halmahera District) and Southern Morotai (Morotai Island District) [1], [3]- [7].…”