By Amelia Pergiwa, Felicia Zahida, A. Wibowo Nugroho Jati
Gastropods, a class of mollusks, exhibit a remarkable adaptability, ranging from mountain peaks to ocean depths. Mollusks, as a taxonomic group, are widely regarded as among the most successful invertebrates due to their ability to inhabit diverse ecological niches. Indonesia and its environs harbor approximately 1,500 out of the 80,000 known gastropod species worldwide.
This study endeavors to assess the gastropod diversity and distribution at Siklotok Waterfall and Silangit Waterfall in Purworejo, Central Java. Observations were conducted in triplicate from February to April 2018, employing an observational research methodology. The study focused on two distinct locations at varying elevations: 347 meters above sea level (masl) and 268 masl.
The findings reveal a notable diversity of gastropods at Siklotok Waterfall during March to April 2018, where 193 individuals belonging to 13 species across 9 orders and 9 families were documented. In contrast, Silangit Waterfall yielded a lower count, with 66 individuals representing 4 species spanning 3 orders and 3 families. Environmental factors such as altitude, temperature, pH, and humidity were identified as influential variables affecting gastropod abundance. Notably, Siklotok Waterfall exhibited a higher gastropod count compared to Silangit Waterfall, reflecting the impact of differing environmental conditions on gastropod distribution.
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