Pendugaan parameter demografi dan bentuk sebaran spasial biawak komodo (Varanus komodoensis Ouwens 1912) di Pulau Rinca, Taman Nasional Komodo

Abstract

Komodo is one of the protected rare reptiles that can only be found within the Komodo National Park and the northern island of Flores. This study was aimed to determine the species poputation parameters and spatial distribution. Data collection on population and spatial distribution of komodo were conducted using 2O transects with four repetitions, of which 5 transects were placed in the deciduous forcst and 15 in the savannah with a total sampling anea of 200 ha. The form of spatial distribution was obtained using the methods of variance ratio, dispersion index, green index, clumping index and chi-square, In addition, vegetation analysis was carried out on a 4 ha sampling plot. Results of the observations indicated that the size of the komodo population on Rinca Island was 698 individuals with a density of 3.15 individuals/kmz comprised of: adults with 1,7 individuals/km2; sub-adults with 0.65 individuals/km2; juveniles with 0.8 individuals/kmz and infants with 0.4 individuals/kmr. The density of komodo in the deciduous forest (8.4 individuals/km2) was much higher than in the savannah (O.64 individuals/km2). The birth rate of komodo (LL.27o/o) was higher than the mortality rate (4.23ort), The sex ratio was 3:1. Within the study area, komodo distributed within clusters as indicated by the ratio of mean value ot ?,77; dispersion index 3.72i green index O.O8; clumping index 2.72 and chi-square 167,059.6, Chance of encounters with Komodo in both types of habitat was much higher in the morning (80o/o) than during the day (20%).