Abstract
Mangrove crab, Scylla tranquebarica is one of the important species that widely found in Indonesia. The population structure of S. tranquebarica in Makassar Strait and Bone Bay was investigated based on genetic variation of isozymes. A total of 360 individuals were collected from seven different localities in Makassar Strait and Bone Bay from September to December 1997. The samples of muscle tissues were analysed by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Twelve detectable enzymes and protein system comprising of 19 loci were utilized to describe the population structure of S. tranquebarica. Four loci exhibited polymorphism and the remaining loci showed monomorphic patterns. Significant genetic differences were observed between samples from different localities. This result leads to the conclusion that there exist more than one population of S. transquebarica inhabiting Makassar Strait and Bone Bay.
