A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE FEEDING ECOLOGY OF SULAWESI SAILFIN LIZARD (Hydrosaurus celebensis) IN BANTIMURUNG BULUSARAUNG NATIONAL PARK

The sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus celebensis), a unique reptile species, is at risk of population decline in the wild because of its frequent trade locally and internationally. This study aims to know the feeding ecology of sailfin lizard feed in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park. This information is expected to be useful for efforts to conserve this species and for the management of the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, especially those related to wildlife. From July to August 2022, three months were spent doing this study. The species of plants and small animals consumed by sailfin lizards, the abundance of feed, feed preferences and time of foraging were recorded during the data-collecting process by direct observation of the study object. The results showed that sailfin lizard started to forage at noon. There were 7 animal species and 18 species of plants eaten by sailfin lizard. Codiaeum variegatum, which had the largest canopy cover area, was the most prevalent species of forage plant. In general, it is also relatively abundant for animal feed. Ficus hispida and Davalia trichomanoides are the two forage plant species that are most frequently consumed out of the total of 18. One species, the river crab, was the only one of the seven species of animal feed that was frequently consumed (Gecarcinucoidea)