Diversity and Abundance of Sand Crabs on the South Coast of Central Java

Sand crabs or mole crabs are benthic fauna that live in the sandy beaches. They have ecological and economic value. Because of fishing pressure to this organism, it requires wise management based on the characteristics of the sand crab population. Information on the type and abundance of sand crabs is important as an initial step in sustainable management of sand crabs. This study aims to determine the species composition and abundance of each species of sand crabs. Sand crab specimens were collected from two study sites, namely Bocor beach, Kebumen, and Bunton beach, Cilacap. The results showed that in both sites found three species of sand crabs, namely Emerita emeritus, Hippa adactyla, and Albunea symmysta. E. emerita found in greatest composition percentage, 70.5% -75.3%; followed by H. adactyla 22.5% -24.7%; and A. symmysta 2.2% -4.8%. Females sand crab found in highest composition percentage, which is 78.2% to 92.8%. E. emeritus were also found in highest abundance average in both sites, 5 and 34 ind.100m^-2. E. emeritus and H. adactyla were found on Bunton beach, Cilacap have abundance higher than that found on Bocor beach, Kebumen, while average abundance ofAlbunea symmysta relatively similar in both study sites, which is about 1 ind.100m^-2. Implication of this research is high diversity of sand crabs relatively on the southern coast of Central Java with varying abundance that affected by intensity of human activities in the sandy beach area.