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

摘要

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. Holothuria atra and H. leucospilota were randomly distributed in Agatti atoll while they showed aggregated distribution pattern in Kavaratti and Kalpeni atolls.. 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<0.001).