Abstract
The understanding of the distribution and population structure of the various species in the marine environment is very helpful to effectual resource management and conservation. This study aimed to assess ecological factors relating to sea cucumber populations on the rocky shores of the Persian Gulf. Population of two species of sea cucumber were investigated along 6 intertidal rocky sites, including Deylam, Bushehr, Dayer, Nayband, Bostaneh, and Lengeh in Bushehr and Hormozgan Provinces. During the period of the sampling, no sea cucumbers were observed in Deylam and Lengeh stations. To address this, 500 individuals of sea cucumber were collected and transported from their natural habitat to the laboratory. During the whole study, two species were observed (Holothuria parva and Holothuria arenicola). The Highest abundance were obtained at the stations of Dayer (198 individuals) and Bostaneh (188 individuals). The maximum density (individuals per 200 m2) was estimated for Dayer (49.5 ± 6.13) and Bostaneh (47 ± 8.79). The results of the study revealed a negative allometric growth for both species. The results showed that different ecological indices of sea cucumbers community in the study areas affected by physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, salinity and possibly lack of correct management in order to enforce more protective approaches relating to these animals.
Highlights
Coastal marine environments have great economic significance because they made fishing opportunities, recreation and other services
Light intensity, energy levels, food availability, fluctuations in salinity and the presence of predator or adults are among the major variables that affect the distribution of sea cucumbers community (Mercier et al, 2000)
There are several expansive coastal areas in Iran, such as the Persian Gulf, that in most coastal cities can find some species of holothurians
Summary
Coastal marine environments have great economic significance because they made fishing opportunities, recreation and other services. Echinodermata (thorn-skinned), with about 7000 living species and 13,000 fossil species are proper creatures for environmental monitoring in both laboratory and ecological purposes (Pawson, 2007) These animals are sensitive to environmental changes and are considered as a densely populated in the coastal and shallow water of marine environments, benthic ecosystems (Izsak et al, 2002; Uthicke et al, 2009). These species are the main members of the food chain in the moderate and coral reef environment and play an important role in aquatic milieus. The eggs and larvae of these organisms are considered as an important source of food for other marine animals (Bruckner et al, 2003)
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