Spatial connectivity of reef manta rays across the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia

Edy Setyawan; Mark V Erdmann; Ronald Mambrasar; Orgenes Ambafen; Abdi W Hasan; Muhamad Izuan; Imanuel Mofu; Mochamad I H Putra; Abraham B Sianipar; Rochelle Constantine; Ben C Stevenson; Fabrice R A Jaine

doi:10.1098/rsos.230895

Back

Spatial connectivity of reef manta rays across the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Spatial connectivity of reef manta rays across the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia

Edy Setyawan, Mark V Erdmann, Ronald Mambrasar, Orgenes Ambafen, Abdi W Hasan, Muhamad Izuan, Imanuel Mofu, Mochamad I H Putra, Abraham B Sianipar, Rochelle Constantine, …

Royal Society open science, Vol.11(4), 230895

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230895

PMID: 38601035

Files and links (1)

pdf

Published3.50 MBDownload View

CC BY V4.0, Open Access

Abstract

acoustic telemetry

network analysis

population connectivity

population structure

management

The reef manta ray Mobula alfredi is present throughout most island groups that form the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia. The species is protected regionally and nationally and is currently managed as a single homogeneous population within the 6.7 million ha archipelago. However, scientific evidence is currently lacking regarding the spatial connectivity and population structure of M. alfredi within this archipelago. Using network analysis and an array of 34 acoustic receivers deployed throughout Raja Ampat between February 2016 and September 2021, we examined the movements of 72 subadult and adult M. alfredi tagged in seven regions of Raja Ampat. A total of 1094 M. alfredi movements were recorded and were primarily concentrated between nearby receiver stations, highlighting frequent local movements within, and limited long-distance movements between regional acoustic receiver arrays. Network analysis revealed highly connected nodes acting as hubs important for M. alfredi movements. A community detection algorithm further indicated clusters within the network. Our results suggest the existence of a metapopulation comprising three demographically and geographically distinct subpopulations within the archipelago. They also reveal the importance of Eagle Rock as a critical node in the M. alfredi movement network, justifying the urgent inclusion of this site within the Raja Ampat marine protected area network.

Details

Title: Spatial connectivity of reef manta rays across the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia
Authors/Creators: Edy Setyawan - University of Auckland
Mark V Erdmann - Conservation International Aotearoa, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Ronald Mambrasar - State University of Papua
Orgenes Ambafen - BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, Waisai, Papua Barat 98417, Indonesia
Abdi W Hasan - State University of Papua
Muhamad Izuan - State University of Papua
Imanuel Mofu - BLUD UPTD Pengelolaan KKP Kepulauan Raja Ampat, Waisai, Papua Barat 98417, Indonesia
Mochamad I H Putra - Indonesian Pediatric Society
Abraham B Sianipar - Murdoch University
Rochelle Constantine - University of Auckland
Ben C Stevenson - University of Auckland
Fabrice R A Jaine - Sydney Institute of Marine Science
Publication Details: Royal Society open science, Vol.11(4), 230895
Publisher: Royal Society
Identifiers: 991005656566307891
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Metrics

10 File views/ downloads

37 Record Views