Studi Pola Penggunaan Ruang Berbagai Kelas Umur Biawak Komodo (Varanus Komodoensis Ouwens) Di Loh Buaya-Pulau Rinca Taman Nasional Komodo, Nusa Tenggara Timur

Abstract

Komodo represent totally disappeared threatened giant salamander. The existence of this endemic reptile only gone in the round of Komodo National Park (KNP) that is in Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Gili Motang, Nusa Code (Jessop et al., 2007) and minor partly in north and west of Flores Island (Erdmann, 2004). Differ from research about population or inventory Komodo have become routine activity side organizer KNP, still a lot of ecology aspect from Komodo which still have to be checked specially about habitat interaction in KNP area, and also spatial ecology (home range and movement). The aim of this research area to identify activity type of komodo according to vegetation type and to know it’s home range and daily path length. Methodology of this research were used Focal animal sampling method and Continous recording method. the registry of Komodo position with Absolute positioning method by using GPS receiver at the time of Komodo do activity at certain dot. Monitoring done pursuant to variation of age class (whelp, juvenile and adult) with each five multiply repetition. Mangrove and savannah used by whelp and adult especially to exploring areas, while the juvenile especially to perceive. In monsoon forest, most activity often done by whelp and juvenile is exploring areas, while adult more amount perceiving. Whelp, juvenile and adult often use savannah as place to activity than monsoon forest and mangrove. The highest savannah used time percentage that is in whelp class. All class age of Komodo use the more amount time to rest, but if seen from age old class, juvenile which at longest rest. Furthermost path length is whelp with average thread 1659,954 ± 628,732 m, later then adult as far as 1427,227 ± 1121,776 m and juvenile as far as 820,460 ± 391,288 m. Whelp take possession of highest home range sequence broadly 12,104 ± 8,227 ha, later then adult Komodo and juvenile broadly 9,383 ± 9,805 ha and 3,412 ± 2,048 ha. Komodo in Loh Buaya use three vegetation type (savannah, monsoon forest and mangrove) as it’s habitat. There are relation between activity type with vegetation type posed at with the result chi-kuadrat test (χ ²) at real level 0,005 with value χ ²aritmetic > χ ² table = 71,133 > 25,188. Komodo very like savannah and most daily activity type often done is rest. The highest home range and daily path length that is in juvenile. Keywords : Komodo, Age Class, Space Use, Home Range, Komodo National Park