Status of Horseshoe Crabs Research in Myanmar: Preliminary Field Survey in Myanmar Citizen Science Approach

Wah Wah Min

Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Myeik University, Myanmar, 14051.

Abstract: The occurrence of two horseshoe crabs, Carcinoscorpius roundicauta and Tachypleus gigas in Myeik, Tanintharyi, Rakhine and Ayeyarwady division were studied based on interview survey undertaken from January to April 2019. The objective of this study was to gather baseline data on survey interviews with fishermen to determine the abundance and distribution of Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius roundicauta in some coastal areas. During the survey, questionnaire was used to interview 30 fishermen from study sites about sightings and catches of horseshoe crabs from in-shore waters, to provide information on when and where horseshoe crabs may be found. The lower number of horseshoe crabs Carcinoscorpius roundicauta (23%) in mangrove and higher number of Tachypleus gigas (77%)in landing sites of three coastal regions. The population of horseshoe crabs is declining (30%) within 3 years (2016-2019) due to daily harvest. Tanintharyi division has 800 islands so ecotourism are more developed than other division in Myanmar and especially most of visitors were took on horseshoe crabs as food so there is no little knowledge or public awareness on horseshoe crab in Myeik environ. There is no market price so anybody won’t take as food in Dawei in Tanintharyi region, Pauk –Taw in Rakhine and Shwe-Thaung-yan in Ayeyarwady division. The present study was the preliminary interview survey to approach on citizen science of horseshoe crabs for assessing the population status of horseshoe crabs and their level of threat in other areas of Myanmar.

Keywords: Horseshoe crab, questionnaire survey, Coastal mangrove, Public awareness, ecotourism.

Pages: 162 – 169 | Full PDF Paper