The Role of Science in The Management of Biodiversity: a Case of Stingrays (Dasyatidae) Research to Provide Basic Data for Aquatic Fauna Conservation in South Sumatra

. The study of fish diversity had been reported accross the South Sumatran waters, but the study focus on stingrays (family Dasyatidae) were very limited. In general, many stingrays species face high level of direct exploitation. A recent study to provide valid checklist of stingrays in South Sumatran waters found 14 species: Brevitrygon heterura , Fluvitrygon kittipongi , Fluvitrygon oxyrhyncha , Fluvitrygon signifier , Fluvitrygon sp ‘musi’ 1, Fluvitrygon sp ‘musi’ 2, Himantura undulata , Himantura uarnak, Maculabatis gerrardi , Pateobatis fai , Pateobatis uarnacoides , Pastinachus ater , Telatrygon biasa and Urogymnus polylepis. Following IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List status 2018, ten species of stingrays are threatened, with four species as Endangered, five species as Vulnerable and one species as Data Deficient. These findings suggest the South Sumatran waters are important habitat for stingrays in Indonesia, and immediate conservation actions plan is needed. In this paper, we demonstrate the role of science in biodiversity management with stingrays (Dasyatidae, an iconic group of rare and threatened fishes) as study case.1.


Introduction
Few species of stingrays are occur in Southeast Asia, particuarly in Indonesian waters [1,2,3]. In Indonesia, there are at least 40 valid species of stingrays where wide spread within main seven faunal regions. South Sumatra province is the largest province in Sumatra where located in the southeastern portion of the island . The study of fish diversity had been reported accross the South Sumatran waters [4], but the study focus on stingrays were very limited [5][6][7] . Study on stingrays diversity had been done in in South Sumatran waters, revealed relatively rich number of stingrays diversty [8]. Further review on biodiverstiy management is required to ensure population survive in the wild. This paper provide review the role of science to provide basic data for aquatic fauna conservation in south Sumatra

Materials and Methods
Records of stingrays in South Sumatran waters were obtained from local social media (mainly Facebook group of local anglers in South Sumatra province) and internet supported with photographs or other evidence (e. g. location, habitat type, morphology and description from anglers) during January 2016 to June 2018; provide an extension to the known distribution of this species and from unpublished data collected by first author. All specimens recorded were mainly from Musi River drainage (the largest and major drainage in South Sumatra) and east coast of Banyuasin. All records included herein were verified; and unconfirmed or ambiguous records were rejected. In addition, three field surveys were conducted in April 2018.
Systematically reviewed what potential solutions are needed to identify and what consensus and direction it provides to support management biodiversity to ensure population of the stingrays survive in the wild. For this reason, we adopt and modify conservation actions plan of stingrays proposed by [9] as reccomendation for management of biodiversity of rare and protected aquatic fauna in South Sumatran waters.

Stingrays Diversity in South Sumatran Waters
This study found 14 species of stingrays iin South Sumatran waters. The species checklist and localities are presented in Table 1. Taxonomy and scientific name follow recent update revision of family Dasyatidae by [2]. Pastinachus ater Least concern Freshwater and brackish 13 Telatrygon biasa Least concern Estuarine and continental shelf 14 Urogymnus polylepis Endangered Protected Estuarine and continental shelf Stingrays in South Sumatran waters are recorded from of up to more 100 km inland to the coastal zone area ( Figure 1). Eight genera of stingrays are recorded in South Sumatran

Reccomendation for Conservation Action Plan
Conservation action plan is a powerful guide conservation to develop focused strategies and measures of success. Proposed conservation action plan for each species of stingrays recorded in South Sumatran waters are proposed in table 2. This reccomendation adopt and modify conservation actions plan of stingrays proposed by [9].
In the case of other parts of many countries, many stingray species in South Sumatran waters also face high level of direct explotation, mainly for their skin or low-value meat. As reported by [2], there is considerable number of threatened stingrays in South-East Asia where catches are very high but declining, with fishers having to travel much further from port to maintain catches. Net and trawl fisheries in Indonesia and elsewhewe are very extensive and, as a result, many shallow-water ray species are heavily exploitated. The general lack of management measures based on scientific research and stock assesment is hindering the sustainable utilisation of these resources. Furthermore, the extensive loss and degradation of habitat such as coastal mangroves and embayments are other key threats to these coastal and inshore species.

Conclusion
When regional priorities have been set, conservation action planning is used to determine the plan of action for these priorities. The conservation action plans above would have not been possible without information on basic data information of each stingrays species. Providing basic data of stingrays diversity and distribution in South Sumatra demontrate the role of science in management of rare, globally threatened and protected aquatic biodiversity. As actions are taken and outcomes are measured, conservation action plans are revised to incorporate new knowledge. It is hope that the proposed conservation action above will beguideline for stake holders authority in the development of conservation of rare and protected aquatic species in South Sumatran waters.