Bioekologi Bulu Babi (Echinoidea) pada Ekosistem Padang Lamun Di Kecamatan Kupang Barat

Abstract

Sea urchins (Echinoidea) are one of the marine biota found in seagrass ecosystems in West Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara. Sea urchins have an important role in the food chain cycle in seagrass ecosystems and are known as healthy food due to their high nutritional content. Sea urchin gonads contain protein, fat, vitamins and essential fatty acids, which are beneficial for human health. In addition to economic value, sea urchins also have ecological value in balancing and controlling macroalgae in coral reef and seagrass ecosystems. The aim of this research is to determine the bioecology of sea urchins in four research locations, namely Bolok, Lalendo, Baliana, and Tablolong beaches. The research method used was direct observation with Megabenthos and Benthos Belt Transect (BBT) techniques. The results showed that there were five types of sea urchins in the study site, namely Diadema setosum, Tripneustes gratilla, Echinometra calamaris, Echinothrix diadema, and Echinometra mathaei.   The results showed that the abundance of Diadema setosum individuals on Tablolong beach (0.46 ind/m²) while Tripneustes gratilla was dominant on Baliana beach (0.22 ind/m²). The highest species diversity index (D) was found in Lalendo (0,7) and the lowest in Tablolong (0,5), indicating moderate diversity. The uniformity index (E) was highest in Baliana (0.8) indicating a more even distribution of species than Tablolong (0.6), the dominance index (C) was highest in Lalendo (1.0), indicating a strong dominance of species at the site.   The highest Index of Gonadal Maturity (IKG) value for Diadema setosum was found in Tablolong (26.9), while Echinometra mathaei in Lalendo (68.6). The food consumption pattern of sea urchins showed that Tripneustes gratilla consumed more seagrass, especially at Baliana beach (82,08%), while Echinothrix diadema predominantly consumed seagrass at Lalendo and Baliana beaches.

Bulu babi (Echinoidea) merupakan salah satu biota laut yang banyak ditemukan pada ekosistem padang lamun di Kecamatan Kupang Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Bulu babi memiliki peran penting dalam siklus rantai makanan di ekosistem lamun dan dikenal sebagai makanan yang menyehatkan karena kandungan nutrisinya yang tinggi. Gonad bulu babi mengandung protein, lemak, vitamin, dan asam lemak esensial, yang bermanfaat bagi kesehatan manusia. Selain nilai ekonomi, bulu babi juga memiliki nilai ekologi dalam menyeimbangkan dan mengendalikan makroalga di ekosistem terumbu karang dan lamun. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bioekologi bulu babi di empat lokasi penelitian, yaitu pantai Bolok, Lalendo, Baliana, dan Tablolong. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pengamatan langsung dengan teknik Megabentos dan Benthos Belt Transect (BBT). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat lima jenis bulu babi di lokasi penelitian yaitu Diadema setosum, Tripneustes gratilla, Echinometra calamaris, Echinothrix diadema, dan Echinometra mathaei. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa  kelimpahan individu Diadema setosum terrtinggi di pantai Tablolong (0,46 ind/m²) sedangkan Tripneustes gratilla dominan di pantai Baliana (0,22 ind/m²). Indeks keanekaragaman jenis (D) tertinggi ditemukan di Lalendo (0,7) dan terendah di Tablolong (0,2), menunjukkan keanekaragaman sedang. Indeks keseragaman (E) tertinggi di Baliana (0,8) menandakan distribusi spesies lebih merata dibandingkan Tablolong (0,6), Indeks dominansi (C) tertinggi di Lalendo (1,0), menunjukkan dominasi spesies yang kuat di lokasi tersebut.   Nilai Indeks Kematangan Gonad (IKG) tertinggi untuk Diadema setosum ditemukan di Tablolong (26,9), sedangkan jenis Echinometra mathaei tertinggi di Lalendo (68,6). Pola konsumsi jenis makanan bulu babi menunjukkan bahwa Tripneustes gratilla lebih banyak mengonsumsi lamun, terutama di pantai Baliana (82,08%), sementara Echinothrix diadema lebih dominan mengonsumsi lamun di pantai Lalendo dan Baliana.