KOMPOSISI JENIS KEONG POTAMIDIDAE DI EKOSISTEM MANGROVE KAWASAN PERTAMBAKAN PROBOLINGGO JAWA TIMUR

Terletak di sekitar Selat Madura, Kabupaten dan Kota Probolinggo merupakan habitat dari vegetasi mangrove, tetapi keberadaan hutan mangrove di lokasi ini sebagian besar telah dikonversi menjadi areal pertambakan. Vegetasi mangrove yang tersisa tumbuh hanya di pematang tambak dan di sekitar bagian pantai. Potamididae merupakan satu-satunya famili dari gastropoda dimana semua anggotanya hanya dapat ditemukan berasosiasi dengan vegetasi mangrove. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui komposisi spesies keong Potamididae di areal pertambakan Probolinggo. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Februari dan April 2013 menggunakan metode Purposive Random Sampling di tujuh stasiun penelitian. Identifikasi spesies keong Potamididae dilakukan terutama berdasarkan karakter morfologi cangkang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa delapan spesies keong Famili Potamididae ditemukan pada lokasi ini. Keberadaan vegetasi mangrove, jarak terdekat dengan garis pantai, suhu, salinitas dan pola arus serta pasang surut air laut dicatat sebagai faktor pendukung pertumbuhan dan perkembangan keong di lokasi penelitian. Hasil dari penelitian ini diharapkan dapat membuka peluang penelitian selanjutnya untuk mengetahui peran dan pengaruh keong Potamididae bagi kesehatan ekosistem habitat mangrove di area pertambakan. COMPOSITION OF POTAMIDID SNAILS IN THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM OF PROBOLINGGO POND AREA, EAST JAVA . Located around Madura Strait, Probolinggo City and Regency is a home for mangrove vegetation, but the mangrove forest in this are mostly has been converted into aquaculture ponds. The mangrove relic grows in the pond embankment and the narrow strip along the seaside. Potamididae is the only family of gastropods in which all members can only found associated with mangrove vegetation. The aim of this research was to determine species composition of potamidid snails in the pond environment of Probolinggo. The research was conducted in February and April 2013 using Purposive Random Sampling method in seven sampling stations. The species identification of the snails was based primarily on morphological shell characters. The results showed that eight species of Family Potamididae were found at the sites. The presence of mangrove trees, the distance to nearest coastline, temperature, salinity, and the pattern of ocean current and tide seemed to support the snails to grow and thrive in the study sites. The results of this study are expected to open up opportunities for further research to determine the role and influence of potamidid snails on the ecosystem health of mangrove habitat in the pond environment.