BIODIVERSITAS ISSN: 1412-033X

Volume 25, Number 5, May 2024 E-ISSN: 2085-4722

Pages: 1965-1974 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d250513

Intertidal echinoderm identification keys for a reef-walking-tour at

Mandalika, Lombok Island, Indonesia

IMAM BACHTIAR1,, ENI SUYANTRI1, TRI AYU LESTARI1, MUHAMMAD IRSYAD A. GHAFARI2
1
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Mataram. Jl. Majapahit No. 62, Gomong, Selaparang,
Mataram 83115, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Tel.: +62-370-633007, Fax.: +62-370-636041, email: imambachtiar@unram.ac.id
2
Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Manuscript received: 6 March 2024. Revision accepted: 7 May 2024.

Abstract. Bachtiar I, Suyantri E, Lestari TA, Ghafari MIA. 2024. Intertidal echinoderm identification keys for a reef-walking-tour at
Mandalika, Lombok Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1965-1974. The coastal biodiversity of Lombok Island has not been utilized
holistically for tourist destinations. The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Mandalika, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara
Province, Indonesia was established on the island's southern coast, designed to be an ecoresort with thousands of super-premium rooms.
New tourist attractions are therefore required to fulfill the increasing demands. The present study aims to provide a pre-requisite science
to develop a new tourist attraction related to marine biodiversity in intertidal areas. An intertidal reef walking tour will be initiated to
add existing ecotourism options on the island. Culturally, the intertidal area is used for reef gleaning and seaweed farming. The gleaning
tradition has the potential to be integrated into the reef walking tour as the cultural menu of ecotourism. The present study offers
identification keys for echinoderm fauna inhabiting the intertidal area of the Mandalika SEZ. The identification keys are new and
designed specifically for tourist users with broad discipline backgrounds. Twenty-four echinoderm fauna can be identified using the new
tourism-designed keys. The echinoderm keys may apply to intertidal areas of many islands in the Indonesian Archipelago and the
Western Pacific.

Keywords: Biodiversity, coastal, ecotourism, zoology

Abbreviations: SEZ: Special Economic Zone; DP: Dental Papillae; GR: Granula; IB: Inter Brachial; OP: Oral Papillae; RS: Radial
Shield; SC: Scale; SP: Spine

INTRODUCTION in developing countries is still challenging (Das and

Chatterjee 2015; Stronza et al. 2019; Irani et al. 2022),
Lombok Island is one of the most popular coastal including Indonesia. Ecotourism must meet three
tourist destinations in Indonesia. The island's tourism has conditions, these are conserving nature, educating people,
flourished since the 1990s, mostly in northern areas and bringing economic impacts on local people. Nearly all
(Bachtiar 2000). In 2016, the Indonesian government nature-based tourism in Lombok has been linked with
established a tourism mega project, the Special Economic conservation efforts and positive economic impacts on
Zone (SEZ) of Mandalika. Tourism development in the local people. These nature-based tourist attractions do not
Mandalika SEZ is designed to contain 10,000 super- properly educate tourists to understand the visited nature.
premium room ecoresorts (Pauzi and Purwoko 2022). The likely explanation for the lack of education component
Highly reputable moto-sport racing has been developed in in the ecotourism of Lombok is that most or nearly all
the Mandalika to complement the existing surfing and tourist guides have an insufficient science background, the
diving tours, paragliding, and a cultural festival of Bau ecotourisms were not well planned, or the required
Nyale (harvesting polychaete-worm epitokes). The Bau scientific information was unavailable.
Nyale festival is one of the province's biggest annual Ecotourism has the potential to be developed on
cultural tourism attractions (Bachtiar and Bachtiar 2019). Lombok Island. The island has natural beauty, a unique
Hosting a high number of super-premium tourists, the landscape, high biodiversity, and social capital to carry out
Mandalika SEZ needs more variety of tourist attractions. ecotourism (Sukuryadi et al. 2020; Syamsi and Lee 2021).
Lombok Island is rich in nature-based resources with high The intertidal area of Mandalika SEZ offers highly diverse
biodiversity, so ecotourism is potentially developed in animals to be introduced to tourists with special interests.
terrestrial and marine areas. Among the existing tourist Coral reefs of the intertidal (reef flats) are known as the
attractions on Lombok Island, nearly none of them may be habitat of nyale worms (Bachtiar and Odani 2021),
classified as ecotourism. polychaete worms belonging to the family Eunicidae.
Ecotourism has been overseen as obligatory for all Echinoderm fauna is also prominently seen during low
nature-based tourism for the last 25 years (Weaver and tides in the same intertidal area (Bachtiar et al. 2020).
Lawton 2007). Community awareness of responsible Many (20-30) local people traditionally harvest sea urchins
tourism has been increasing rapidly, but its implementation and mollusk for subsistence consumption at low tides
1966 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 25 (5): 1965-1974, May 2024

(Febrianti et al. 2023). Both intertidal fauna diversity and (2014). Furthermore, the keys are not designed for
reef-gleaning culture may be developed into a tourist intertidal echinoderms of the Indonesian Archipelago.
attraction in the context of ecotourism. At present, The present study aims to fill the gap by providing
intertidal gleaning is perceived to contradict ecotourism echinoderm identification keys for tourism purposes. Many
(McKenzie et al. 2021; Derrick et al. 2023) since it causes technical terms used in the scientific paper have been
overexploitation of macrobenthic intertidal fauna, such as removed or replaced with more familiar words. Tourists are
sea urchins, clams, and oysters. In Mandalika SEZ, the from a variety of backgrounds but some of them like to
southern coast of Lombok Island, the reef-gleaning experience something challenging. The specifically
tradition (Sasak, Madak) is potentially integrated as an designed identification key of echinoderms may serve as
additional cultural menu in a reef walking tour during low the right level for non-science background tourists to
tides. identify the scientific name of the echinoderms. The
Walking tours have been developed in urban areas echinoderms are marine fauna that are predominant in the
(Gordon 2014; Guano 2015; Nilsson and Zillinger 2020) intertidal of the Mandalika SEZ. They have a disk-like
and remotely unique villages (Ghorbani et al. 2022; Mao body form and five or more radial arms. The unique body
and Lingjun 2022). Therefore, a reef walking tour at the form may raise curiosity for eco-minded tourists.
intertidal area is potentially developed as ecotourism in the Furthermore, identifying echinoderms would be a life
Mandalika SEZ. During the low tides, the tourist guide experience. It will also be an unforgettable experience as
may introduce the names of animals they found on the reef there is no harm in tourists holding most echinoderms in
flat and explain how to identify them. This unique reef their hands, except for some sea urchins. At present, there
walking tour may be hardly found elsewhere in the is no similar or relevant studies on this issue.
southeast Asian countries. Identifying the names of
intertidal fauna is very complicated as there are many
technical terms that only specialists or biologists are MATERIALS AND METHODS
familiar with. The existing available identification keys for
echinoderms (Echinodermata) and mollusk (Mollusca) Study area
fauna are not suitable for tourists but for scientific This study was conducted at intertidal areas of three
purposes. Therefore, new identification keys specifically beaches, i.e., Kuta, Seger, and Serinting Beaches (Figure
designed for tourism are needed to set up a unique reef 1). The three beaches comprised more than 50% of the
walking tour in the Mandalika SEZ. Existing echinoderm intertidal area of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of
keys are merely for zoologists, which are likely Mandalika, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara
incompatible with tourists, for example, Cunha et al. Province, Indonesia.
(2021), Gondim et al. (2018), and Granja–Fernández et al.

Figure 1. Location of study in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Mandalika, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province,
Indonesia
 BACHTIAR et al. – Intertidal echinoderm identification keys 1967

The beaches are also the most visited area by traditional After identifying the scientific names of collected
gleaners. Currently, Kuta Beach is just on the seaward side specimens, new identification keys were developed based
of the Raja Hotel, while Seger Beach is on the seaward side on observable characteristics. The observable
of the Novotel. The Serinting Beach has no characteristics are non-microscopic, and tourists can
accommodation yet; it is about 100 m from the motor recognize them on-site. This identification key is designed
racing circuit (10th turn). A preliminary study revealed that to be friendly for tourists with various discipline
at Mandalika Beach, between Seger and Serinting Beaches, backgrounds. The present identification key is new, as all
the intertidal reef flat has 10.25±10.08% coral cover, existing scientific identification keys use many technical or
mainly massive corals (unpublished data). Intertidal of the biological terms incompatible with ordinary tourists. The
Kuta Beach is mostly seagrass beds (>80%) with coral new keys were tried out for students' field trips on the
reefs (<20%) on the seafront. Seger Beach's seagrass bed is Invertebrate Zoology Course consisted of 20 groups. Each
about 20% of the intertidal area. Coral colonies are patchily group comprised 4-5 students. When submitting the report,
distributed among sandy, low-bottomed reefs. The they were directly asked about its practical uses and the
intertidal of Serinting Beach has the widest area, mostly reason for their opinions.
covered by foraminifera sands (>75%). About <5% is
seagrass bed. Coral colonies (<20% cover) may be found
patchily on a sandy bottom and at the seafront. During low RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
tides, the reefs are exposed to the air, creating closed and
semi-closed tide pools. The reefs are mostly covered by There were all five classes of Echinodermata found at
micro- and macro-algae. Several local people and some the intertidal areas of Mandalika SEZ (Table 2), i.e.,
tourists walk on the reefs during the low tides. Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea, and
In Mandalika SEZ, the local community traditionally Crinoidea (Brusca et al. 2016). The five classes may be
uses the intertidal coral reefs for reef gleaning; people walk distinguished by their unique characteristics. Asteroidea
on the reef and collect sea urchins, bivalves, gastropods, (sea stars) have a stellate-form body with rigid, non-
and other edible fauna for subsistence needs. The coral articulated arms, while Ophiuroidea (brittle stars) have a
abundance is very low (~10%) in the intertidal. As the low disk-like body with flexible articulated arms. The number
coral populations occur on the southern coast of Lombok of arms is usually five, but it could be six or more.
Island which directly faces the Indian Ocean, it is Echinoidea (sea urchins) have a globose body form covered
apparently due to high waves from the Indian Ocean. Coral by movable spines without arms (Brusca et al. 2016). Its
populations are patchily distributed, with large foraminifera fleshy and sausage-shaped body is identify Holothuroidea.
sands occupying low elevations among the coral colonies Crinoidea has a cup-like body with feathers-like arms. The
and small bommies. The intertidal reefs are mostly formed fauna of Ophiuroidea was the most prominent and diverse,
from foraminifera sediments (personal observation). with 10 species (Table 2).
Samples containing 114 specimens of echinoderms Moreover, several unfamiliar terms may cause some
were collected haphazardly in the four walking cruises confusion for beginners. Although these identification keys
(Table 1) during the lowest tide of March and were have been designed intentionally for tourists (beginners),
repeated during the lowest tide of July 2023. Four some technical, biological terms cannot be avoided. A list
researchers walked along the walking track and collected of technical terms is presented in Table 3 and Figure 2 to
various echinoderm specimens. All the specimens were ease the use of the identification key. Appearances of oral
fixated for 48 hours in a formalin solution of 4% in and aboral disks in Figure 3 also lessen difficulties in
seawater (weight). The fixated specimens were then identifying ophiuroids (brittle stars).
preserved in a 70% alcohol solution. Scientific
identification was carried out using published identification
keys, i.e., Alitto et al. (2018), Boissin et al. (2016), Clark
and Rowe (1971), Cunha et al. (2021), Goharimanesh et al.
(2021), Gondim et al. (2013), Granja-Fernández et al.
(2014), Nasser et al. (2019), and Pomory (2007).

Table 1. Position of walking cruise trails

Location Walking cruise trails

Kuta -8.89558, 116.28324; -8.89893, 116.28356;
-8.90289, 116.28787; -8.89985, 116.29068
Seger -8.90427, 116.29457; -8.90719, 116.29309;
-8.91012, 116.29602; -8.90575, 116.29680
Serinting 1 -8.90705, 116.30245; -8.91183, 116.30243; Figure 2. Body plan comparison of Asteroidea (sea stars),
-8.91201, 116.30437; -8.90704, 116.30503 Ophiuroidea (brittle stars), and Echinoidea (sea urchins) from
Serinting 2 -8.90750, 116.30938; -8.91222, 116.30853; both oral view (above) and lateral or side views (below). Circle or
-8.91322, 116.31177; -8.90816, 116.31254 semi-circle show mouth position
1968 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 25 (5): 1965-1974, May 2024

Table 2. List of Echinoderms found at intertidal areas of

Mandalika SEZ, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Term Meaning
Indonesia
Aboral The opposite side of the oral, upper side
Dental Connected or related to the teeth
Class Genus-species Dorsal Related to the back of an animal
Asteroidea 1. Protoreaster nodosus Granule Small grain-like form
(sea stars) 2. Culcita novaeguineae Inter-brachial Space between two arms
3. Linckia laevigata Lateral Related to the side of an animal
4. Linckia multifora Madreporite A perforated plate at the aboral side of sea stars
5. Echinaster luzonicus Oral Connected or related to the mouth, downside
6. Aquilonastra sp. Papillae Projection from an animal organ or tissue
Echinoidea 1. Diadema setosum Pentaradial Five axes spreading out from a central point
(sea urchins) 2. Echinothrix calamaris Radial shield Pairs of distinguished plates at the aboral disk
3. Tripneustes gratilla close to the arm base of ophiuroids
4. Echinometra mathaei Ventral Related to under the body of an animal
5. Echinometra sp.
Ophiuroidea 1. Ophiocoma scolopendrina
(brittle stars) 2. Ophiocoma erinaceus
3. Ophiocoma sp. On the other hand, if the seastar does not fit with
4. Ophiomastix annulosa
description #1a, then go to description #1b. The seastar is
5. Ophiomastix elegans
6. Macrophiothrix sp. likely a new record if it neither fits #1b. This means that
7. Ophiarachna incrassata the sea star is not yet listed in this paper.
8. Ophiolepis sp.
9. Ophiocnida scabriuscula Identification key for sea stars (Asteroidea)
10. Ophioplocus imbricatus Its solid arms may easily recognize sea stars, although
Holothuroidea 1. Holothuria sp. Culcita novaeguineae lacks arms. The arms can hardly be
(sea cucumbers) 2. Synapta maculata bent, and they only move using tube feet on the underside
Crinoidea 1. Comanthus sp. of the arms. They have 5 or 6 arms, which give them a
radial symmetrical body. The pentaradial symmetrical body
Three identification keys were developed for the first is disrupted in Echinaster luzonicus. The sea star E.
three classes. Identification keys for Holothuroidea and luzonicus is special for its fleshy body. Some sea stars may
Crinoidea were not developed because the two classes have blunt spines, while others have more granulated skin.
contained only three and one species, respectively, so the Madreporites among the granules or blunt spines may be
keys were unnecessary. The identification key starts from found on the aboral side. All sea stars in Mandalika SEZ
the key #1a. For example, to identify an unknown seastar. are harmless and may be touched or held by a naked hand.
If the sea stars characters fit the description of having 5 or The identification key for sea stars is as follows.
6 arms, then go to #2a as indicated at the end line of the
description; the same procedures are applied to the next keys.
Table 3. List of technical terms used in the identification keys

1 a. Body star-like with 5 or 6 arms 2

b. Body globose without arms Culcita novaeguineae
2 a. Body with 5 arms 3
b. Body with 6 arms 6
3 a. Aboral has spineless skin covered with granules or scales 4
b. Aboral side is covered with large rounded spines, and the spines' tips are dark. Protoreaster nodosus
4 a. Long arms, medium size body (≥3 cm wide from central disk to longest arm tip) 5
b. Short arms, small size body (<3 cm wide) Aquilonastra sp.
5 a. Arm dorsally with bluish monochrome coloration, about the same arm lengths Linckia laevigata
b. Arm dorsally with light color and dark patches, arm lengths vary Linckia multifora
6 a. All arms have different sizes, and skin contains dull spines Echinaster luzonicus
b. Some arms have different lengths, granulated spineless skin Linckia multifora
Note: Some anomalies in the number of arms may be found among sea stars. For example, Protoreaster nodosus and Echinaster
luzonicus may have one less or more arm than their typical arm number
 BACHTIAR et al. – Intertidal echinoderm identification keys 1969

Identification key for brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) Several brittle stars lost their arms from predation, and
Brittle stars may be the most attractive members of many show regenerating arms. Identifying brittle stars is
intertidal echinoderms. They live under rocks or coral more challenging than sea stars and sea urchins as the
rubbles, crevices on reefs, and seagrass bed too. They have distinguishable features are minute in size. For example,
articulated arms so that they use their arms for walking or the type of aboral disk skin or teeth may not be
creeping. The arms consist of many segments and contain distinguishable without a magnifying glass. The following
blunted spines. All brittle stars are not dangerous, and key is to identify brittle stars at Mandalika SEZ.
tourists may hold them by hand for further observation.

1 a. Aboral disk covered by granules (Figure 3.A & B) or short spines (Figure 3.C) 2
b. Aboral disk is scaly (Figure 3.D) or covered with soft skin 4
2 a. Oral disk and ventral arms are light color or cream 3
b. Oral disk and ventral arm are all black, and oral and dental papillae are present. Ophiocoma erinaceus
3 a. Arm length ≤7 times disk diameter 7
b. Arm length >7 times disk diameter 6
4 a. Aboral disk covered with scales (Figure 3.D) 5
b. Aboral disk is covered with smooth dark skin, and the oral disk has a light color. Ophiomastix elegans
5 a. Scale sizes vary, and smaller scales regularly surround large scale (Figure 3.D) Ophiolepis sp.
b. Scale sizes are very similar, and smaller scales irregularly surround larger scales. Ophioplocus imbricatus
6 a. Disk covered with small spines (Figure 3.C), some arm dorsal spines enlarged form club-like Ophiomastix annulosa
shape
b. Disk covered with granules (Figure 3.A & B), radial shield (Figure 3.B & D) obvious, no oral Macrophiothrix sp.
papillae.
7 a. Disk granules are obvious and pretty rough, and oral and dental papillae are tidy (Figure 3.E) 8
b. Disk granules are very smooth and undistinguished, irregular in size of oral and dental papillae 9
(Figure 3.F)
8 a. Inter-brachial oral disk granulated Ophiocoma scolopendrina
b. Inter-brachial oral disk (Figure 3.E & F) naked, without granules Ophiocoma spp.
9 a. Dorsal arm spine length is shorter than the ventral one, light in color with dark or brown bands. Ophiarachna incrassata
b. Dorsal arm spine length is about the same as the ventral spines, light color without bands. Ophiocnida scabriuscula

A B C

D E F

Figure 3. The aboral (A-D) and oral (E-F) disks of ophiuroids from Mandalika SEZ, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia:
A. Ophiocoma; B.Macrophiothrix; C. Ophiomastix; D. Ophiolepis; E. Ophiocoma; F. Ophiarachna; dp: dental papillae, gr: granula, ib:
inter brachial, op: oral papillae, rs: radial shield, sc: scale, sp: spine
1970 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 25 (5): 1965-1974, May 2024

Identification key for sea urchins (Echinoidea) pentaradial symmetrical form. Some sea urchins are
The absence of arms and the presence of conspicuous considered dangerous; their spines can penetrate the skin
spines covering their globose bodies are the most recognizable when handled or touched, and the broken spines in human
characteristics of sea urchins. The spines usually form rows skin take several days to disappear naturally. Tourists
from the top (aboral) down to the bottom (oral) of the body. should never touch sea urchins Diadema and Echinothrix.
The rows of spines divide the sea urchin body into a The following is a key for sea urchin identification.

1 a. Disk with short spines, spine length ≤3 times disk diameter 2

b. Disk with long spines, spine length >3 times disk diameter, white or orange line Diadema setosum
encircles the anus opening
2 a. Spine sizes are relatively homogenous laterally 3
b. Spine sizes vary laterally 4
3 a. Lateral spine length >0.5 times disk diameter Echinothrix calamaris
b. Lateral spine length ≤0.5 times disk diameter Tripneustes gratilla
4 a. The mouth opening is not obviously seen, covered with long oral spines Echinometra mathaei
b. Mouth opening is easily recognized, surrounded by short oral spines Echinometra sp.

The three identification keys have not yet been implemented Sea cucumbers (holothurians) and lilies (crinoids) may
for Mandalika tourists. The keys, however, have been tried be identified without identification keys. The existing fauna
out for pre-service Biology teachers during an Invertebrate of the two groups is not diverse in Mandalika SEZ. There
Zoology field trip at Mandalika. Most students (>80%) feel were only four taxa, including one of sea lilies (Comanthus
convenience using the identification keys, as the echinoderms sp.) (Figure 7). Many holothurians have high economic
show very distinguished characteristics. Members of the values that reef gleaners may harvest as soon as they are
sea stars (Figure 4) and sea urchins (Figure 5) are the most spotted. Black sea cucumber Holothuria sp. has a
distinguishable. The sizes of these two animal groups are cucumber-like body and 20 branched tentacles surrounding
about 3-30 cm. Students' difficulties mostly happened in its mouth. The size is about 20 cm, although it may grow to
the key for brittle stars (Figure 6). The identification key 60 cm. Sticky snake sea cucumber Synapta maculata has a
for the brittle stars relies on their disk properties. The sizes long, slender (snake-like) body with delicate, sticky skin;
of the disks are about 1-3 cm and identifying the brittle there are 15 feathery tentacles surrounding its mouth. The
stars' disk properties requires a magnifying glass. The student sea lilies Comanthus sp. may be distinguished by cirri
field trip was for academic purposes for which identification possession, unbranched, jointed curved organs attaching
accuracy is highly expected. On the other hand, such an the animal to the rocky bottom, and feathery arms.
expectation may not necessarily apply to tourism.

A B C

D E F

Figure 4. Sea stars may be found during a reef walking tour in Mandalika SEZ, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. All
sizes are not on the same scale. From top left: A. Protoreaster nodosus; B. Linckia laevigata; C. Culcita novaeguineae; D. Linckia
multifora; E. Aquilonastra sp.; F. Echinaster luzonicus
 BACHTIAR et al. – Intertidal echinoderm identification keys 1971

A B C

D E

Figure 5. Sea urchins that inhabit the intertidal reefs of Mandalika SEZ, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. All sizes are
not on the same scale. From top left: A. Diadema setosum; B. Diadema setosum; C. Echinothrix calamaris; D. Echinometra mathaei; E.
Tripneustes gratilla

A B C

D E F

Figure 6. Brittle stars may be encountered during a reef walking tour in Mandalika SEZ, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara,
Indonesia. All disk sizes are about 10 to 20 mm. From top left: A. Ophiomastix annulosa; B. Ophiarachna incrassata; C. Ophiomastix
elegans; D. Ophiocoma scolopendrina; E. Ophiolepis sp.; F. Macrophiothrix sp.
1972 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 25 (5): 1965-1974, May 2024

A B

C D

Figure 7. Sea cucumbers and feather stars may be found during the reef walking tour in Mandalika SEZ, Central Lombok, West Nusa
Tenggara, Indonesia. A. Holothuria sp.; B. Actinopyga sp.; C. Synapta maculata; D. Comanthus sp.

Discussion island's international airport. Tourism facilities are very

Identifying echinoderms down to species is an good. There are options for accommodations from non-star
academic task of a biologist or zoologist. Converting to five-star hotels within 10 minutes by car from Mandalika
academic tasks into tourist attractions has not been much SEZ. The presence of reef gleaners on reef walking tours is
developed. Bird watching may be the only very successful a cultural attraction bonus for tourists participating in the
in the conversion. Bird-watching tourism has been rapidly reef walking tour. Snorkeling at tidal pools may be a
developing in Europe, and they have projects to establish e- peripheral attraction in the tour. Since the snorkeling tour is
Bird (Sullivan et al. 2009). In the bird watching tourism, at only 1 m depth, this peripheral attraction is compatible
tourists walk along a track that is suitable for finding with non-swimmers.
targeted birds. A similar tourism development may also be The development of reef walking tours will bring
applied to reef walking tours. Tourists walk along a safe economic benefits for local people. In Mandalika SEZ,
reef track suitable for finding targeted intertidal echinoderms. local community involvement in the super-premium
Many brittle stars become active when tidal water is about tourism facilities is difficult due to their low capacity to
to rise. They move their arms as water floods back the work in super-premium hotels. The reef walking tour will
reefs. Sea urchins and sea stars often demonstrate their diversify tourist attractions in the Mandalika SEZ and
movement ability using tube feet in tide pools. These increase local community involvement in megaproject
natural attractions may raise tourist curiosity and tourism. In the Kerandangan National Park, western
motivation to know more about the animals' names and Lombok, bird-watching tourists are willing to pay between
their roles in the ecosystem. The present identification keys USD 15-36 for soft and adventure trails, respectively
will help them to satisfy some of tourist curiosity. Tourism (Suana et al. 2020). Similar rates may be applicable for the
that exposes non-professional tourists to carry out scientific reef walking tour. Additional fees may be added for
tasks has also been introduced successfully in SCUBA specific guiding services and snorkeling gear.
diving. Reef Check has been popular among divers to enjoy The only issue in developing reef walking is the
holidays and collect coral reef data in Australia (Done et al. availability of qualified tourist guides. Tourist attractions
2017; Schläppy et al. 2017). must provide new experiences in relaxing or entertaining
A reef walking tour in Mandalika SEZ is a potential environments. Knowing the scientific names of coral reef
ecotourism attraction. Deng et al. (2002) listed five animals is a new experience for many tourists. Using the
dominant elements of nature-based tourism in Australia, identification key may also be a new experience for many
i.e., resources, accessibility, facilities, local community, of them. Therefore, if we added some relaxing and
and peripheral attractions. Resources to be promoted as entertaining guidance, we have a new tourist attraction.
attractions are abundant in Mandalika SEZ: echinoderms, Implementing the reef walking tour as a relaxing
mollusks, crustaceans, and foraminiferans. Accessibility to experience is challenging. This challenge largely depends
Mandalika SEZ is also very convenient, about an hour from on the tourist guides. Despite having good hospitality, the
the capital city of Mataram and about 30 minutes from the guides must be creative to develop an experiential learning
 BACHTIAR et al. – Intertidal echinoderm identification keys 1973

atmosphere. They must also be sensitive to tourist also have different impacts. In bird watching, tourists never
refutation signs when guiding the tour; then they move on harm the birds; they take pictures and identify the names of
to other plans. Learning about the ecology of the coral reefs the birds. In the reef walking tour, tourists may harm
and reef-associated traditional culture while walking on the targeted animals by collecting them, for example, shellfish
reefs are the other plans that may be presented to the (marine bivalves and snails). Furthermore, tourists may
tourists in Mandalika SEZ. also step on other intertidal animals during the tracking,
In the walking tour, tourist attractions need to be unintentionally killing them. Sustainable tours should,
diversified, not only about knowing the names of intertidal therefore, be planned more seriously for reef-walking than
animals (zoology) but also story-telling about the animal's bird-watching tours. Besides, intertidal animals'
role in the ecosystem. The guides, therefore, must have a recolonization may occur rapidly as marine animals
sufficient science background in intertidal ecology that can produce much more offspring than terrestrial ones. The
provide a rational explanation of the ecology of the standard protocols of ecotourism, “take nothing but
introduced animals. As the reef walking tour is carried out pictures and leave nothing but footsteps”, should be applied
at the habitat of nyale worms (Bachtiar and Bachtiar 2019; as much as possible, while touching living intertidal
Bachtiar and Odani 2021), story-telling about the Bau animals must be minimized.
Nyale tradition and the biological science of nyale worms Touching living marine animals may not only
may also increase the tourist experience and satisfaction inadvertently disturb their physiological processes and
during the tour. During low tides, the only time window for natural behavior, but also may be harmful for tourists. For
reef walking tours, several local people regularly carry out example, lifting a sea urchin out of water cause it to loose
reef gleaning (Febrianti et al. 2023). Story-telling about the water and vital nutrients that affecting its overall fitness.
reef-gleaning culture is also important to be granted during Some intertidal animals also have protective structures and
the tour. This integrated scientific and cultural walking tour behavior to overcome their predators. Sea urchins Diadema
will be a substantial bonus for the tourists. Besides, this sp. and Echinothrix sp., and seastar Acanthaster planci
also avoids opposition that may come from the existing have sharp spines that frequently cause painful stings to
traditional reef gleaners (Derrick et al. 2023; McKenzie et reef visitors. Corals and sea anemones have stinging cells
al. 2021). Tourists do not only learn about zoology but also that may instigate irritation and discomfort to visitors.
the coastal culture of Lombok people. The attraction in the Before walking to the reefs, participants should therefore
reef walking tour should also be developed for other be informed beforehand not touching any animals without
intertidal animals. The key to identifying echinoderms is consent from the tour guide.
the only beginning in the present study. Echinoderms are The reef walking tour should adopt existing citizen
the most abundant and interesting animals to introduce in science projects. Potential tourists may be offered several
the Mandalika SEZ. Many other animal groups are to be options of tour packages. One of the tour packages should
introduced and packaged as tourist attractions. For be becoming a citizen scientist; the interested tourists will
example, sea snails and sea slugs (Gastropoda, Mollusca), contribute data on reef animal diversity and abundance in
oysters and clams (Bivalvia, Mollusca), and foraminifera the Mandalika SEZ. In the long term, such data may show
(Sarcodina, Protozoa) are also attractive. Since the walking environmental changes in the intertidal reefs. Similar
tours require special tourist guides knowledgeable in citizen science has been developed in e-Bird (Sullivan et al.
zoology and ecology, they should preferably be recruited 2009) and Reef-Check (Done et al. 2017). The data will
from biological sciences graduates with tourist guiding benefit both local governments and the management body
certificates. of the Mandalika SEZ.
In Australia, reef walking has been abandoned since the Future studies should address the practical and efficacy
last century (Pocock 2021) to protect declining coral reefs of using echinoderm keys to entertain tourists with
from human disturbances. The reef walking on Mandalika academic challenges in zoology. Studying their responses
differs in several ways from the Great Barrier Reefs, and to using identification keys as an ecotourism attraction is
the declining coral cover may be avoided. The intertidal also very important. Positive responses can be strengthened
reefs of Mandalika are only partially covered by corals in future development, while negative ones should be
(Nurhaliza et al. 2019), so breaking coral colonies during avoided. Tourist segmentation will be useful to understand
reef walking can be easily hindered when the main coral further which segment is compatible with such an
reefs are not in the intertidal. Naturally, the coral reefs of academic-like tourist attraction.
Mandalika are formed by sediments of single-celled In conclusion, the biodiversity of the intertidal
foraminifera animals. The existing living corals are mostly Echinoderm may be developed as a tourist attraction in the
massive-form corals (Nurhaliza et al. 2019) resistant to Mandalika SEZ. The providence of identification key for
breakage. Therefore, the sustainability of the reef walking echinoderms is the first step to developing a reef walking
tour should still be assessed regularly, and the carrying tour. The walking tour development is supported by
capacity should be determined as early as possible. abundant resources, convenient accessibility, complete
The sustainability of the reef walking tour is similar to supporting facilities, warm local people, and snorkeling
the bird-watching tour. Both are conducted in two sensitive attraction additionals. The walking tour potentially
ecosystems: coral reefs and forests. Furthermore, both develops to include other animal groups and local
tourist attractions rely on the presence of animals in their traditional culture. The suggested reef walking tour is an
natural habitats. The two nature-based tourism, however, ecotourism in which tourists will learn about the zoology
1974 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 25 (5): 1965-1974, May 2024

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