Comparison of prevalence and intensity of ectoparasite on mud crab genus Scylla at Kg. Giling Laut and Kg. Bangka Bangka Kota Kinabalu, Sabah / Muhammad Abdul Fikri Indara

Ectoparasitic infection has an adverse impact on wild mangrove crab. This study aims to determine ectoparasites that hosting mangrove crabs, knowing the level of prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites and to determine the correlation of physicochemical parameter to the prevalence and intensity of ectoparasite. This study was conducted from April to July 2017 whereby the sampling done once per month. Trap (Bintur) were set up from early morning to afternoon (9 a.m- 12.00 p.m), a total of thirty samples of mud crabs were successfully catched from the Kg.Giling Laut and Kg.Bangka Bangka, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Ectoparasite observation was done by smear method on target organ (carapace and gills) for further observation under a microscope. Ectoparasite identification was based on their morphology guided by Book of Williams and Bunkley-Williams (1996), Book of Arai and Smith (2016) and Book of Bartsch (2006). The findings from Kampung Giling found that out of 15 mangrove crabs 13 samples were infected with Octolasmis, 5 samples were infected with Capillospirura and 4 samples were infected with Parhalixodes. Meanwhile, in Bangka Bangka Village, out of 15 mangrove crabs, 14 samples were infected by Octolasmis, 5 samples were infected by Capillospirura, 4 samples infected with Parhalixodes and 3 samples infected by Camallanus. The highest prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites in Kg. Giling Laut and Kg. Bangka Bangka is owned by Octolasmis with a prevalence of 86% and 93% and has an intensity value of 25 and 90 respectively. Finally, the correlation test showed that there was a positive correlation between the prevalence of dissolved oxygen (r = 0.077, p <0.05) while there was also a positive correlation between intensity and water pH (r = 0.084, p <0.05). In conclusion, high water pH level lead to pollution and this maybe a major factor in prevalence and high intensity at Kampung Bangka Bangka. Currently, studies on the distribution, diversity and ecological ectoparasites of the mangrove crab are very limited so further studies need to be made in the future.