Tagging and monitoring of Acanthaster planci individuals in the coral reef of Bidong Island

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.