Community structure of ophiuroids (Echinodermata) from three different habitats on a coral reef in Barbados, West Indies

Abstract

Populations of ophiuroids were sampled from three habitats (living coral surfaces, dead coral surfaces and coral rubble) on a coral reef in Barbados, West Indies. Living coral habitats were more densely populated than dead coral or rubble habitats, while diversity indices showed that the rubble had a higher species diversity than living or dead coral habitats. The array of species and their ranked dominance was similar in the two coral habitats but both were different statistically from the rubble habitat. The mean size of individuals was greater in the rubble habitat than in the other two habitats. The degree of patchiness was uniform among the three habitats and most of the common species collected appeared to be generalists in terms of niche breadth.