Kepadatan, Pola Distribusi dan Pola Pertumbuhan Kerang Bulu (Anadara antiquata) di Perairan Pantai Sialang Buah, Kabupaten Serdang Bedagai, Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Shellfish (Anadara antiquata) is one of the mollusc belong to the class of Bivalvia. Shellfish has high economic value because of its highly nutritional content. Sialang Buah Beach is famous for its shells, especially the Shellfish. Shellfish is sought after by the fishermen and the communities around the coast to be traded or as daily consumption. It is feared that the large number of shellfish taken could damage the preservation and reduce the population of the shellfish. This study aim were to analyze the density, the distribution patterns, and the growth patterns of the shells, and the relationship between the physical and chemical factors of the waters and the density of the shells. This study used the "Purposive Sampling" method by determining 3 stations based on the activities around the station. The results show the highest density was at station 1(13,500 ind/ha) and the lowest at station 3 (4,500 ind/ha). The distribution pattern at each station was grouped with a morisity index had a value >1. The growth pattern at stations 1 and 3 was positive allometric with the value b>3, means the growth of shell weight was faster than the increase in length, whereas at station 2 was allometric negative or b<3, means the length growth of the shells was faster than the weight gain. The correlation analysis results showed the parameters of water temperature, substrate temperature, light intensity, pH, DO, salinity, and C-organic had a very strong effect on the density of shellfish.