Nebuchadnezzar Akbar, Dietriech G. BENGEN, I Wayan Nurjaya, Nyoman Metta N. Natih, Riyadi Subur, Abdurrachman Baksir, Firdaut Ismail, Irmalita Tahir, Iswandi Wahab, Dondy Arafat, Rustam E. PAEMBONAN, Abdul Ajiz Siolimbona
Endemic species are animals that are limited by geographic latitude and are not found in other locations. The Halmahera Walking Shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera) is an endemic species found in the sea of the Halmahera Islands. North Maluku, Indonesia. The research objective is the aspect of habitat connectivity that occurs based on morphometric characters. Sampling locations were Morotai Island, Kao Bay, and Tawabi Island. Kayoa. Sample collection was carried out in coral reef and seagrass ecosystems, mangroves, and bycatch products. The morphometrics of each individual are measured with precision, and weight is measured. Analysis Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to see the distribution and relationship of morphometric characteristics between locations and coral life forms and morphometrics. Cluster analysis (CA) was performed for proximity between locations. The research results found that there were morphometric variations between locations, although not significant. The distribution of species was found in the coastal areas of each sampling location, with a total of 30 individuals (Morotai Island), 33 individuals (Kao Bay), and 30 individuals (Tawabi Kayoa Island). This study has found a novelty that statistically answers that there is morphometric connectivity of the Halmahera Walking Shark based on habitat in the Halmahera Sea. Our findings have answered that the morphometric characteristics of the Halmahera Walking Shark on Morotai Island and Kao Bay are connected, namely, the larger size compared to the morphome size on Tawabi Island, Kayoa, which is smaller based on habitat. Novelty is also found statistically in habitat preferences in coral life forms that have been descriptively found to be true. Habitat preferences are found to be different in each location and are found to be the habitat of this species. Important information we find to provide data for species and habitat conservation.