Abstract:
This study was conducted using Acanthaster planci in Bidong Island, Terengganu
where different tagging materials were being tested, identification of individuals by
using the organism's external morphological features and movement monitoring.
Three tagging materials were tested in this study by using wall plugs, rubber strips
and plastic tubing. An identification technique by using the number of arms,
madreporites, anuses and disk diameter was tested to recognise different individuals.
Rubber strips remained attached on the organisms for 12 days, followed by plastic
tubing (9 days) and lastly, wall plugs which remained attached for a day. On the other
hand, the identification of external morphological features appears to be more reliable
since the external morphological features of the organisms underwent slight
fluctuation in the disk diameter while the other features (number of arms,
madreporites and anus) remained constant after two months of observation.
Movement of A. planci in the wild were monitored and observed to have foraging
movement while distance covered was 0.87m h-
1
/ 3.3m d-
1
on the reef in Bidong
Island. The short distances covered by the individuals were due to the adequate
availability of food in the area. The identification technique can be improved by
developing a feasible tagging material which will then facilitate individual recognition
that requires less time and effort.
