First report of sea cucumber species (Holothuroidea: Holothuriidae) in Matanchén Bay, México
ABSTRACT. Sea cucumbers (holothuroids) play a major role in coastal environments; their detritivore conduct favors oxygen penetration in the sediments and the disposal of pathogens on the sea floor. This study determined holothuroid diversity in the rocky intertidal zone of Matanchén Bay, Mexico. Sampling campaigns were carried out in January, March, May, and July 2018. Linear transects (10 m length and 1 m width) perpendicular to the coastline in rocky areas (0-3 m depth) were established, where the density (ind m-2) and proportion (%) of sea cucumbers were estimated. Organisms were photographed, examined live, and preserved in 70% alcohol for subsequent identification utilizing ossicle characterization. Our results show the presence of four sea cucumber species: Holothuria (Halodeima) inornataSemper, 1868, Holothuria (Selenkothuria) lubricaSelenka, 1867, Holothuria (Selenkothuria) portovallartensisCaso, 1954, and Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) viridiaurantiaBorrero-Pérez & Vanegas-González, 2019. The average density per species was 0.208, 0.108, 0.017, and 0.025 ind m-2, respectively; each species' proportion was 58.1, 30.2, 4.7, and 7.0%, respectively. Due to the above values, we found that the number and spatial distribution of sea cucumber species vary in Matanchén Bay.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Facultad de Recursos Naturales. Escuela de Ciencias del Mar
2022
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-560X2022000500775 |
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