Sea cucumber species identification in subtidal area

Sea cucumber species identification in subtidal area of Chabahar Bay, Oman Sea, south east of Iran

Arash Shakouri

Chabahar Maritime University

Teimour Amini Rad

Chabahar Offshore Fishery Research Centre

Abstract

Sea cucumbers are one of the most important groups of echinoderms. Unfortunately,  despite huge source of these organisms has given us by marine environment due to lack of identified species in the southern waters of Iran and non-familiarity with nutritional benefits, medicinal and even profit on foreign exchange by exporting them  sea cucumbers are considered as forgotten animals in Iran. Beacause of the highest human impact on regional ecosystem, the study is done in the eastern part of Chabahar Bay. According to the most likely to attend there, sampling of sea cucumbers was conducted by SCUBA diving method in 4 regions, Beheshti Jetty, Marine Hotel, Kalantari Jetty and Sepah Jetty. Sea cucumbers and their environment were shooting. Individuals were identified in the environment as possible and to ensure greater recognition, in the laboratory, were studied by method of oscicle observation. Seven species of sea cucumbers were observed during a year. These include Stichopus variegatus, Holothuria leucospilota, Holothuria hilla, Holothuria arenicola, Holothuria atra, Holothuria parva, Holothuria pervicax. Of these, six species belong to the genus Holothuria and one belongs to the genus Stichopus. Both genus are among Aspidochirotida Order. S. variegatus, generally, have more weight and length than other species. H. leucospilota is located in second place. H. hilla have more length range than others. Beheshti Jetty had the most presence of species. 6 species in this region during one year (H. arenicola was not observed). In Sepah Jetty 5 species has been observed (H. parva and H. pervicax was not observed). In Kalantari Jetty 2 species (H. leucospilota and S. variegates) and in Marine Hotel 1 species have been observed.

Keywords: echinoderms, sea cucumbers, species identification, Chabahar Bay