Morphometrics and long-weight relationship Halmahera walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera, Allen, 2013) population in Morotai Island Sea, North Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Morotai Island is under the influence of plates, Indonesian Throughflow, Halmahera Eddy, New Guinea Coastal Undercurrent (NGCUC) and is located in the coral reef triangle. Halmahera walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera) was found in the Morotai Island Sea. The aim was to study the morphometric and length-weight relationship of H. halmahera on Morotai Island. Sample collection of H. halmahera in South Morotai, North Morotai and South West Morotai. H. halmahera samples were taken using scuba diving at a depth of 3-10 meters. The morphometric measurements were 11 variables TL (total length)- LTL (lower tail length). The diversity of morphometric characteristics found was analyzed using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. Analysis length-weight relationship using linear regression equation. The results found 30 individuals (South Morotai = 8, North Morotai = 9, South West Morotai = 8, and East Morotai = 5) and the frequency of sex presence individuals (male = 16 and female = 14). Morphometric parameters found variation in each individual. PCA analysis found that the distribution of morphometric characteristics had body size variation. Dendogram is divided into Cluster I (North Morotai dan South West Morotai) dan Cluster II (South Morotai dan East Morotai). The length-weight relationship found negative allometric growth.