Geometry Morphometry and Health Status of Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus, 1766) in Maratua Island, East Kalimantan-Indonesia
Abstract
Research on hawksbill turtles in the Maratua Island is still very few. Meanwhile, population of hawksbills was believed to decline due to human exploitation. The aim of this research was to study the morphology of hawksbill through geometric morphometric approach and health status which includes the existence of epibionts, mechanical damages and Body Condition Index. The survey was conducted from 5 to 18 September 2014. The method used was the hand˗catching by snorkeling and diving for catching turtles, morphometric measurements and documentation of the turtle body parts using the camera. Morphological aspects were analyzed with linear regression and geometry approach with Microsoft Excel and ImageJ software. Health status was analyzed with observation of epibionts and mechanical damages through photos and calculation of Body Condition Index. There were 11 turtles that have been caught. The results indicated the growth of straight carapace length notch to tip affect the growth of the other body parts of hawksbill turtle and based approach to geometry, shape growth of hawksbill turtles that are found in Maratua not changed but only have added size. Based on the health status through observation epibionts, mechanical damages and analysis of Body Condition Index, hawksbill in Maratua still relatively healthy compared with studies elsewhere.
Keywords: Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766); geometry; Maratua; morphometry
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