Gastropod Diversity on a Tropical Ecotourism Coastline: A Case from Pantai Tengkuyung West Kalimantan

Sungai Nibung Village, West Kalimantan, has been designated as a regional conservation area. This area encompasses diverse coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and sandy beaches such as Pantai Tengkuyung, which hold strong potential for sustainable ecotourism development and biodiversity conservation. The present study aims to analyze the structure of the gastropod community along the coastline of Pantai Tengkuyung to provide baseline ecological information for long-term monitoring and management. Fieldwork was conducted from February to March 2025 at three sampling stations, where samples collection was done using quadratic (1×1 m²) transect during low tide. A total of 716 gastropod individuals representing seven species were identified: Turritella terebra, Brunneifusus ternatanus, Pusio elegans, Indothais malayensis, Indothais gradata, Paratectonatica tigrina, and Littoraria scabra. Among them, L. scabra exhibited the highest abundance (3.10–8.55 ind/m²), reflecting its adaptability to various microhabitats and substrate conditions. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’=1.25–1.42) indicated moderate species diversity, with high evenness (E=0.65–0.88) and low dominance (C=0.26–0.35), suggesting a stable and balanced benthic community structure. These findings imply that the intertidal ecosystem of Pantai Tengkuyung remains in good ecological condition, with minimal anthropogenic disturbance. The results provide essential baseline data for assessing ecosystem health and can guide the development of sustainable ecotourism and community-based conservation strategies within the Sungai Nibung coastal conservation area.