Habitat and Depth Distribution of the Red Sea Cucumber Parastichopus californicus in a Southeast Alaska Bay
Zhou S and Shirley T. 1996. Habitat and Depth Distribution of the Red Sea Cucumber Parastichopus californicus in a Southeast Alaska Bay. Alaska Fishery Research Bulletin. 3(2):123-131
A field survey of red sea cucumber Parastichopus californicus distribution was conducted June 18–22, 1991, using a manned submersible in Barlow Cove, Southeast Alaska. The density of sea cucumbers counted in transects averaged 20.8 individuals•ha-1 in the inner, 70.9 in the middle, and 103.7 in the outer stratum of the cove. Six types of substrata were encountered: mud/sand, debris, rock, shell, rock wall, and algae. Sea cucumbers were found at almost all depths from the intertidal zone to as deep as 183 m. Higher densities were encountered in 2 distinct depth zones: above 60 m and between 100 m and 150 m. This bimodal distributional pattern was attributed to the depth distribution of the rock wall substrate, which supported the highest density of sea cucumbers at 234•ha-1. The higher densities of sea cucumbers along the nearly vertical rock walls are unexplained; rock walls may be preferred to the unstable nature of other substrates on the steeply sloped wall of the cove, or they may be selected for spawning.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Zhou, S; Shirley, TC
- Units
- GLBA , SITK
- Keywords
- Barlow Cove, Coastal/Marine Systems, habitat (marine), Invertebrates (Insects Other), marine fisheries, Parastichopus, sea cucumber