Siti Zahrani bte Haji Md Salleh
University Brunei Darussalam Brunei Darussalam
Title: The effect of littering on distribution of ghost crabs (Ocypode sp.) in Muara Beach, Brunei Darussalam
Biography
Biography: Siti Zahrani bte Haji Md Salleh
Abstract
Brunei Darussalam is blessed with beautiful beaches and a lot of potential as tourist attractions. Therefore, beaches were developed for recreational purposes which may affect the ecological habitat. The study was trying to see the effect of human disturbances on ghost crabs (Ocypode sp.) distribution in terms of beach litters (organic and inorganic litters). The study was divided in 2 phases with the following aims: Phase I, Identification and distribution of the ghost crabs (Ocypode sp.) species found on the least disturbed site of Muara beach ; Phase II, Comparison of mean burrow density of ghost crabs (Ocypode sp.) between 3 zones (Yellow Zone: cleaned by removing the inorganic litter; Red Zone: not cleaned at all having both organic and inorganic litter and Green Zone: cleaned) of Muara beach within 4 weeks. In Phase I, sampling were conducted during day and night at least disturbed site of the beach. 2 species of ghost crabs were identified that were Ocypode ceratophtalma and Ocypode cordimanus thus confirming that the burrows were made by the ghost crabs. Based on the samples collected it was discovered that there were clear zonation of species where O.ceratophtalma were mostly found near water and O.cordimanus were found near the dune. In Phase II, burrow counts were monitored weekly for 4 weeks to compare the mean burrow density of ghost crabs in each zone (Yellow Zone, Red Zone and Green Zone). The result showed that there were decrease in ghost crab burrow density in Yellow zone and there were shifting of distribution from Plot C to Plot D (towards the water) after 4 weeks. Red zone also showed decrease in ghost crab burrow density and shifting occurred but faster in 3 weeks. Green zone showed increase in ghost crab burrow density and no shifting of zone took place as the ghost crabs were adapted to clean beach. These result indicate that clean beach was preferred over heavily littered beach. Ghost crabs tend to shift away from the litters found on the beach. This information is valuable for us to reflect on how we had treated our beach.