Morphometric Study of Swimming Crab ( Portunus pelagicus) Using Truss Network Analysis for Determination of Stock Structure in FMA 711

Abstract

The crab of Portunus pelagicus is a fishery resource with a wide distribution area and quite diverse environmental conditions in Indonesia, giving rise to morphometric diversity. The study aims to analyze differences in morphometric diversity of crab populations (P. pelagicus) in the waters of Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 711, landed in Bintan, Bangka, and Ketapang, which can describe the condition of the crab stock units. A total of 300 individuals were collected from all locations using random sampling. The crab morphometric characters were analyzed using Truss Network body shape method (TNA). The Kruskal Wallis results analysis showed distinguishing in some morphometric characters for both carapace and abdomen. Cluster analysis shows that there were two population groups: The Bintan group, and the Bangka-Ketapang groups. The discriminant analysis on the carapace characters resulting that the crabs from three locations have the potential for more than one stock unit, so different management is needed.