Studi Keanekaragaman Herpetofauna Areal Tambang Desa Kawasi Kabupaten Halmahera Propinsi Maluku Utara

Abstract

Herpetofauna constitute an important component of tropical forest ecosystems and are widely recognized as sensitive indicators of environmental change. This study aimed to assess the diversity, conservation value, and ecological significance of herpetofauna within the mining landscape of Kawasi Village, Obi Island, South Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, Indonesia. Field surveys conducted between 2014 and 2018 recorded a total of 15 herpetofaunal species, comprising three amphibian species and 12 reptile species. Species richness remained relatively stable across survey periods, indicating the persistence of suitable habitats despite ongoing land-use modification associated with mining activities. Several species, including Nyctimystes infrafrenatus, Papurana papua, Eutropis multifasciata, Hemidactylus frenatus, Hydrosaurus amboinensis, and Acanthophis cf. laevis, were consistently recorded throughout multiple surveys, suggesting a high degree of ecological adaptability to disturbed environments. Two species, Emoia kuekenthali and Litoria cf. nigropunctata, represent previously unrecorded taxa within the study area and may constitute new distribution records for Obi Island. The conservation importance of the area is highlighted by the occurrence of two nationally protected species, Hydrosaurus amboinensis and Crocodylus porosus, as well as endemic Maluku taxa including Cyrtodactylus sp. and Dendrelaphis caudolineatus modestus. Although no species were categorized as threatened according to the IUCN Red List, the presence of protected, endemic, and biogeographically significant taxa demonstrates the continued ecological value of the remaining forest, riparian corridors, and revegetated habitats. The findings emphasize the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity and conserving remnant natural habitats within mining landscapes to support biodiversity conservation in Wallacea, one of the world's most important centers of endemism.