Food Web On Chek Jawa

Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes), Telescopium shell (Telescopium telescopium)
Nerita shell (Nerita lineata) feeds on Algae.
Humans eats Telescopium shell (Telescopium telescopium)


Algae(Producer) is eaten by
Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes), Telescopium shell (Telescopium telescopium) and Nerita shell (Nerita lineata).
Telescopium shell (Telescopium telescopium) is eaten by Humans

Animals in Chek Jawa

Mud lobster (Thalassina sp.)
This common but rarely seen crustacean
plays a key role in mangroves. It creates the characteristic volcano-like mounds of mud in the back mangroves as it eats-and-digs in the mud.
These mounds provide living spaces for
a variety of other mangrove creatures.

Cotton stainer bugs (Dysdercus decussatus)
These colourful insects eat the seeds of the Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceaus).
When it's the right season, they can be found in profusion. These two are mating.
They got their name because they produce a substance that
causes fungus to grow on and stain cotton bolls.

Porcelain fiddler crabs (Uca annulipes)
These amusing little crabs are found everywhere in the back mangroves
and on the shores of Chek Jawa. They are very shy. If you stand very still,
your patience will be rewarded as they emerge to display and forage.

Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)
This one was seen clinging to a twig in the back mangroves.
These hermit crabs stay mostly on land and only ocassionally takes a dip
in water to wet their gills. They eat algae and scavange on whatever they can find.

Telescopium shell (Telescopium telescopium)
These large shells are common and feed on the algae and other tiny titbits found on mud. Usually covered in mud, this particular specimen was found clean, showing the beautiful markings. Called rodong or berongan, they are eaten by some locals.

Nerita shell (Nerita lineata)
These shells are handsomely stripped. Upon closer inspection, we discovered
that their mantles are also beautifully striped to match! These snails climb up
mangrove roots at high tide and descend at low tide to graze on algae.

Leaf Oysters (Isognomon ephippium)
Mangrove roots provide a firm surface for
all kinds of animals to cling to.

Coastal horseshoe Crabs (Tachypleus gigas)
These are the other horseshoe crab species that can be found on Chek Jawa.
They are larger, a handsome grey and have a triangular, serrated tail.

Mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda)
An ancient animal, the horseshoe crab is a survivor from millions of years ago.
This species is smaller with a smooth tail and can be found on Chek Jawa.

These amusing mudskippers are the most commonly seen on Chek Jawa.
They often travel around in nervous 'herds'.

Giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri)
The largest of mudskippers in Chek Jawa, they sneak up on smaller
mudskippers upon which they snack!

Physical environment of Chek Jawa.

Chek Jawa, whose treasures can only be uncovered during low tide, is a natural beach. A midget in terms of size, its one-sq. km. area however is packed with six distinct natural habitats, forming the richest ecosystem ever found in Singapore.

Nestled together were mangrove, rocky shore, beach, coral rubble, a sea grass lagoon, mudflats, sand banks, and a coastal forest. Each habitat, defined by a specific set conditions, was host to a unique group of plants and animals adapted to that habitat, and combined, spoke of and impressive biodiversity.

Scientific interest aside, it was visually surprising. Crabs and fish were numerous and the area was peppered with colourful carpet and peacock anemones galore. Starfish, sand dollars and sea cucumbers appeared in large variety and number, shiny cowries were common, the sponge diversity splashed a myriad of colours on the coral rubble and the most extensive lawn of sea grass in the country was on display. Even rare tresaures like octopi and seahorses availed themselves.