Abstract
Echinoderm diversity was studied from Mudasal Odai (Lat.11°29'N; Long. 79°46' E) and Nagapattinam (Lat. 10° 46' N; Long. 79° 59' E) coast of Tamil Nadu, south east India. We recorded 14 species, 11 genera, 8 families, 5 orders and 3 classes in Mudasal Odai and 11 species, 8 genera, 6 families, 5 orders and 3 classes in Nagapattinam coast. The most diverse families are Temnopleuridae (4 species in Mudasal Odai and Nagapattinam). Among the genera, Salmacis, Astropecten and Echinodiscus has two species each in both study areas. The Echinoderm species Temnopleurus torumatics is the dominant in both Mudasal Odai and Nagapattinam coasts. Three species (Stellaster equestris, Ophiocnemis mamorata and Salmacis virgulata) in Mudasal Odai and three species (Salmacis bicolor, Echinodiscus auritus, Echinodiscus bisperforatus) in Nagapattinam coast were recorded as abundant species. Three species (Pentaceraster regulus, S. bicolor, E. auritus) in Mudasal Odai and four species (Stellaster equestris, O. mamorata, Salmaciella dussumieri, Salmacis virgulata) in Nagapattinam were reported as co-abundant species. Three species are present in two coasts, four species are present in Mudasal Odai. All echinoderm species are present in Mudasal Odai coast; three species are absent in Nagapattinam coast. Key words: Echinoderm, Mudasal Odai coast, Nagapattinam coast, Temnopleuridae, Temnopleurus torumatics, Salmacis.
Highlights
Echinoderms have calcium-rich skeleton, five-part body plan with arms, water-vascular system interconnected canals with thousands of tiny hollow tube feet, and skin gills that are used for respiration and waste removal
Echinoderm species are listed in Singapore (Bedford, 1900), China (Liao and Clark, 1995), Taiwan (Chao and Chang, 1989), Vietnam (Dao, 1994), Australia (Rowe and Gates, 1995) and India (Sastry, 2007)
Echinoderms were collected from Mudasal Odai (Lat.11°29'N; Long. 79°46' E) and Nagapattinam (Lat. 10°46' N; Long. 79°59' E) landing centers, south east coast of India
Summary
Echinoderms have calcium-rich skeleton, five-part body plan with arms, water-vascular system interconnected canals with thousands of tiny hollow tube feet, and skin gills that are used for respiration and waste removal. Echinoderms are marine and widely distributed in benthic habitats from the intertidal to deep sea zones. About 6000 living species of echinoderms have been described in the world, of which more than 1000 have been listed for the Indo-West Pacific (Guille et al, 1986). Indo-West Pacific shallow-water echinoderm fauna is considered as rich resources (Clark and Rowe, 1971). Sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) are of great importance in marine ecosystems because, among other organisms and factors, some act as key species due to their predatory activities (Menge, 1982). Echinoderm species are listed in Singapore (Bedford, 1900), China (Liao and Clark, 1995), Taiwan (Chao and Chang, 1989), Vietnam (Dao, 1994), Australia (Rowe and Gates, 1995) and India (Sastry, 2007)
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