Distribution pattern and community structure of sea cucumbers (Class: Holothuroidea) in different biogeographic regions of the selected Islands of Lakshadweep Archipelago, India

Abstract

Distribution pattern and community structure of Sea cucumber (Class:Holothuroidea) was investigated in different biogeographic region of three atolls of Agatti, Kavaratti, Kalpeni islands of Lakshadweep archipelago. <i>Holothuria atra and</i> <i>H. leucospilota </i> were randomly distributed in Agatti atoll while they showed aggregated distribution pattern in Kavaratti and Kalpeni atolls<i>.</i>. Species richness in Agatti (1.61 ± 0.46) and Kalpeni (1.63 ± 0.82) atolls were comparable and a lower species richness was observed in Kavaratti (1.33 ± 0.42) atoll. Species diversity of Kalpeni (2.1 ± 0.72) was higher than Agatti (2.0 ± 0.57) and Kavaratti (1.6 ± 0.49). The community structure of Sea cucumber in different biogeographic regions of the reef (WSB- Western Sea grass bed, WSA- Western Sandy area, WRF- Western Reef flat, ORS-Outer reef slop, ERS- Eastern Rocky area, ESW- Eastern Seaweed area) differs significantly (P&lt;0.001).