Morphological Plasticity and Allometric Growth of Sea Urchin (Echinoidea) on Lembeh Island, North Sulawesi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35800/jip.v14i2.67869Keywords:
Allometric growth, Lembeh Island, morphological plasticity, sea urchinAbstract
This study investigates the allometric growth patterns of four sea urchin species (Diadema savignyi, Tripneustes gratilla, Echinothrix calamaris, and Echinometra mathaei Type C) on Lembeh Island as a manifestation of morphological plasticity. Researchers collected samples from Paser Panjang (protected habitat) and Pancoran (high hydrodynamic pressure). Morphometric analysis utilized Huxley’s (1932) equation to evaluate the relationship between test diameter (DC) and test height (TC). Results indicate that environmental energy significantly dictates shell morphology. D. savignyi exhibits negative allometry at both sites, yet individuals in Pancoran possess taller tests to enhance stability against currents. Notably, T. gratilla displays distinct plasticity, shifting from isometric growth in Paser Panjang to positive allometry in Pancoran; this dome-shaped adaptation effectively reduces hydrodynamic drag and lowers the center of gravity. While E. calamaris and E. mathaei Type C primarily show isometric growth, E. mathaei maintains a significantly higher TC in exposed habitats. These morphological shifts demonstrate vital survival mechanisms against habitat variability. The study underscores that such adaptive strategies enhance structural integrity, positioning sea urchins as reliable ecological indicators for coastal resource management.
Keywords: Allometric growth; Lembeh Island; morphological plasticity; sea urchin
Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pola pertumbuhan allometri empat spesies bulu babi (Diadema savignyi, Tripneustes gratilla, Echinothrix calamaris, dan Echinometra mathaei Type C) di Pulau Lembeh sebagai manifestasi plastisitas morfologi terhadap variabilitas habitat. Sampel dikoleksi dari Stasiun Paser Panjang (relatif terlindungi, lamun padat) dan Stasiun Pancoran (hidrodinamika kuat, lamun kurang padat). Analisis menggunakan persamaan Huxley (1932) untuk mengevaluasi hubungan diameter cangkang (DC) dan tinggi cangkang (TC). Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tekanan hidrodinamika secara signifikan memodifikasi morfologi test. D. savignyi menunjukkan pola allometri negatif di kedua lokasi, namun populasi di Pancoran memiliki TC lebih tinggi (kurang pipih) untuk meningkatkan stabilitas. T. gratilla menunjukkan plastisitas transisional yang mencolok, bergeser dari isometri di Paser Panjang menjadi allometri positif di Pancoran, menghasilkan bentuk dome (bulat) guna memitigasi drag arus kuat. Sementara itu, E. calamaris dan E. mathaei Type C cenderung isometrik, meski E. mathaei secara signifikan mempertahankan TC yang lebih tinggi di habitat terbuka. Disimpulkan bahwa plastisitas morfologi berfungsi sebagai mekanisme pertahanan struktural utama terhadap variabilitas spasial habitat, memperkuat peran bulu babi sebagai bioindikator integritas ekosistem pesisir.
Kata Kunci: Pertumbuhan allometri; Pulau Lembeh; plastisitas morfologi; bulu babi
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dewi Feronika Manabung, Lawrence J. L. Lumingas, Khristin I. F. Kondoy, Stephanus V. Mandagi, John L. Tombokan, Deislie R. H. Kumampung
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