The distribution and abundance of holothurians in Saipan Lagoon, Mariana Islands
Chandran R. 1988. The distribution and abundance of holothurians in Saipan Lagoon, Mariana Islands. University of Guam
The distribution of holothurian species in Saipan lagoon was studied and the factors affecting their presence were analyzed. A total of eleven species of holothurians were found in the three types of habitats studied including nearshore sea grass beds, midlagoon sand flats, and outer rocky reef margins. Holothurian species show distinct habitat preferences, with species diversity and abundance of individuals being inversely proportional to distance from shore. Diversity and abundance were greatest in the nearshore sea grass beds, and lowest in the midlagoon sand flats. Holothuria atra occurred in near shore grass beds, midlagoon sand flats and outer rocky reef margin zones. Bohadschia marmorata was found predominantly in high energy rocky reef margin areas where wave action was strong. Temperature and sediment grain size seem to play a role in the habitat selection of Holothuria leucospilota. Holothuria atra, an edible species, occurred in harvestable quantities. Large numbers of juveniles of H. atra were found, for the first time, in nearshore Halodule uninervis sea grass beds. Stichopus chloronotus was found in the nearshore grass beds and the rocky outer reef margin zones, and showed partial separation of habitats when present along with Holothuria atra. No predators of holothurians were found.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Chandran, Ravi
- Date of Issue
- 1988-02
- Publisher
- University of Guam
- Units
- AMME
- Keywords
- Abundance, Abundance (Biodiversity), Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands CNMI, Distribution, Distribution (Biodiversity), echinoderms, holothurians, Observations, Presence (Biodiversity), Saipan Lagoon, sea cucumbers, Thesis