Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

THE EFFECT OF MOLTING HORMONE (20-HYDROXYECDYSON) ON MOLTING OF MUD CRAB (SCYLLA OLIVACEA HERBST,1976)

Andi Tamsil and Hasnidar

Abstract

Molting in crustaceans is influenced by molting hormone. This study aims to examine the effect of adding the molting hormone 20- hydroxyecdyson (20-HE) against the concentration of ecdysteroidhaemolymph and molting of mud crab. The study is designed using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), consisting offour dose treatments of 20-HE, namely: (A) 0 μg/mL (without hormone), (B) 1.0 μg/mL, (C) 1.3 μg/mL and(D) 1.6 μg/mL; each treatment is repeated three times. The addition of molting hormone 20-HE is done by injection. Parameters measured are ecdysteroidhaemolymph concentration post-injection, the percentage of molting, molting duration, weight and width of carapace, survival rate, as well as water quality as the growth medium. Analysis of the sample of molting hormone and haemolymph is performed using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography (UFLC). Concentration of ecdysteroidhaemolymph pre and post injection ofvitomolt is performed by t-test. To determine the effect of molting treatment on mangrove crab, analysis of variance (ANOVA) is done. The results show that the addition of 20-HE molting hormone increases the concentration of molting hormone (ecdysteroidhaemolymph), increases the percentage of molting,accelerates molting duration, increases the weight and width of the carapace, and increases survival of mangrove crabs. The higher the dose of molting hormone injected, the higher the concentration of ecdysteroidhaemolymph post-injection. The 20-HE hormone dose of 1.0 μg/mL results in the highest percentage of molting, fastest molting duration, the highest increase of weight and width of carapace, and the highest survival rate.