Diversity and abundance of giant clams in Anambas Islands, Indonesia

¹ Marine Department, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Padjadjaran University
² Loka NACA Pekanbaru, MMAF Republic of Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: iwalhrp@gmail.com

Abstract

Giant clam is one of the most common types of bivalves found in coral ecosystem. Geographically, these clams have limited distribution in the Indo-Pacific tropics, from the Red Sea to the Pacific Islands of Tuamotu. Ecologically, the clam acts as bio-filtration and natural bio-deposition. The presence of clams becomes a marker that the waters are still good and the absence of harmful pollutants. The population of this clam in Indonesian waters continues to decline. Anambas archipelago are known for its rich diversity of marine life. Since the establishment of this area became NACA as an ATP in 2014, marine tourism activities grew rapidly. Therefore it is necessary to do this research which aims to know the diversity of species and abundance of clams in the waters of Anambas Islands. Field survey was conducted in August 2015 by using Belt Transect method. The research results found 6 species with D₁ value is 0.593. The overall abundance is 0.144 indv.m^-2. Tridacna crocea has the highest abundance and relative abundance of the highest species of the other species of 60.54%. Meanwhile, the smallest relative abundance is Tridacna gigas which is only 2.36%.