Citra Satrya Utama Dewi, Slamet Wahyudi, Hagus Tarno, Dewa Gede Raka Wiadnya, Feni Iranawati, Sukandar, Anik Martinah, Lalu M. Iqbal Sani, Beginer Subhan, Sekar Mira Herandarudewi, Elok Faiqoh, Gatot Ciptadi
The dugong (Dugong dugon (Müller 1776)), an endangered herbivorous marine mammal, is listed as the Red List of the IUCN and CITES Appendix I. Considering its protected categorizing, its population is persistently decreasing globally, particularly in Indonesia, accordingly requiring significant conservation measures. This study aimed to assess the conservation status of the species, analyze the morphology, morphometry, and genetic profile of stranded dugongs, and evaluate surrounding seagrass meadows. Fieldwork undertaken in February, March, and September 2023 concentrated on stranded dugongs, gathering morphological, morphometric, and genetic data, in addition to surveying seagrass habitats using satellite photography. Morphological observations encompassed 14 criteria, whilst tissue samples from pectoral fins were utilized for genetic profiling by phylogenetic analysis. Geographic coordinates identified stranded dugongs, whereas seagrass regions were assessed with Sentinel-2 data and QGIS. The results indicated that genetic investigation verified the species' strong affinity with populations in the Java Sea and New Zealand, with more divergence from dugongs in Kerala, India. The seagrass beds adjacent to the dugongs' habitat ranged from 0.21 to 16.68 hectares within a larger network of 55.38 to 85.35 hectares, underscoring their potential as a protection zone. These findings underscore the essential link between dugong conservation and seagrass ecosystem conservation, making it clear that both aspects are interconnected and necessitate combined protection methods. © 2025, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved.
Doctoral Program of Environmental Science, Graduate School, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. MT Haryono 169, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Utilization, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. MT Haryono 169, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; National Fish Resources Assessment Commission, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 16, Jakarta, Central Jakarta, 10110, Indonesia; Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Oceanogen Laboratory, Jl. Bambu Ori III No 46, West Java, Bogor, 16111, Indonesia; Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Jl. Raya Dramaga, IPB Campus Dramaga, West Java, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia; Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Pasir Putih 1, Jakarta, North Jakarta, 14430, Indonesia; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Universiteit Leiden, P.O.Box 9518, 2300 RA, Leiden, Netherlands; Doctoral Program of Marine Science and Technology, Marine Science College, National Sun Yat Sen University, Lianhai Rd. No. 70, Gushan District, Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan; Department of Animal Reproduction and Breeding, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
