Habitat Characteristics and Morphometrics of Starfish (Archaster typicus) in the Seagrass Ecosystem of the Waters of Malahing Hamlet, Bontang City

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the habitat and morphometric characteristics of Archaster typicus in seagrass beds and to determine the density and composition of seagrass in the Malahing Hamlet Waters, Bontang City. The study was conducted from June - September 2024. The research locations were grouped into 3 research stations (North, East, South) with quadrant transects. Starfish identification data were analyzed using seagrass density and Regression correlation. Archaster typicus is relatively common in shallow waters, and the habitat found is on sand flats. The highest and lowest average morphometric character results in arm length were at the eastern station 4.5 ± 0.7 cm and the lowest at the southern station 4.2 ± 0.6 cm, the highest body height at the eastern station 0.7 ± 0.2 mm and the lowest at the southern station 0.4 ± 0.2 mm, the highest arm base width at the eastern station 1 ± 0.1 mm and the lowest at the northern station 0.9 ± 0.1 mm, the highest overall diameter at the southern station 8.2 ± 1.5 cm and the lowest at the northern station 8.4 ± 0.7 cm, the highest bodyweight at the eastern station 7.6 ± 2.4 grams and the lowest at the northern station 7.3 ± 1.4 grams, the highest distance between arms at the southern station 5.6 ± 1.1 cm and the lowest at the northern station 5.1 ± 0.6 cm.