Habitat wise variability in the diversity of sea cucumbers in Lakshadweep Archipelago, North-Western Indian Ocean

Abstract

The coral reefs of the Lakshadweep archipelago harbour significant sea cucumber resources. The paper discusses the habitat-wise variability of sea cucumbers observed during a series of surveys in this atolls. The western side lagoon areas and eastern intertidal areas of the atolls showed maximum diversity and species richness. One of the northernmost atolls of this archipelago, Kiltan showed an exceptional abundance of the green sea cucumber Stichopus chloronotus. The information provided will be useful for developing conservation strategies for this important group of coral reef dwellers.