The diversity of sea cucumbers in Fafanlap and Gamta, Misool Islands, Raja Ampat District, West Papua, and their chemical compound activity test

Abstract

Abstract. Rumlus R, Semangun H, Karnaradjasa O, Mangimbulude JC. 2015. The diversity of sea cucumbers in Fafanlap and Gamta, Misool Islands, Raja Ampat District, West Papua, and their chemical compound activity test. Bonorowo Wetlands 5: 1-10.  The study was conducted in the waters of Kampung Fafanlap, South Misool and Gamta Village, West Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua Province, Indonesia. The aim of this study was to (i) determine the abundance, species composition, and species diversity index of sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) in the waters of Gamta and Fafanlap villages; (ii) to know the potency of sea cucumbers from Fafanlap as an anti-bacterial compound to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; (iii) to know the chemical compounds of sea cucumber. Sea cucumbers, Holothuroidea, are exploited and traded as one of the fishery products. This observation was conducted in May, June, September, and October 2013. The sample was collected using snorkeling of sea cucumbers. A 25 m transects were laid parallel to the coastline; measuring samples taken randomly 2x100 m or manta taw, each transect was only taken 3 samples. Samples were taken in the littoral area in 2 locations, i.e., Fafanlap and Gamta. The community structure was analyzed based on four ecological indices, namely composition, density, species diversity, and abundance. The results showed that two species of sea cucumbers were found in Fafanlap, i.e., Holothuria scabra and H. vacabunda, and only one species was found in Gamta, i.e., H. vacabunda. Therefore, species richness, abundance, and composition of sea cucumbers in Fafanlap and Gamta are relatively small. Ecological index variation at both locations is relatively small. H. scabra from Fafanlap contains potential anti-bacterial compounds to E. coli and S. aureus. The chemical compounds include flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and triterpenoids.