Abstract:
Sea cucumbers are fascinating and commercially valuable species belong to
Class Holothuroidea. The present study was conducted with the aim of documenting the
species composition and diversity of sea cucumber population in Point Pedro coastal area of
Jaffna peninsula. The investigation was carried out from May 2014 to June 2015 at two
study sites namely Viyaparimuli and Munnai. Sea cucumbers were collected within random
transects areas of 4 m width and 100 m length. All the sea cucumbers were brought to the
laboratory and identified up to species level based on the morphological characters and
spicule preparation. Standard ecological parameters such as Simpson's Index (D), Shannon
index (H) and Evenness index (J) were estimated. A total of four species belong to the Order
Aspidochirotida and two each representing Family Holothuriidae and Family Stichopodidae
were identified. Among them Holoturiaatra was the dominant species contributing 46.46% of
the population followed by S. horrens, S. herrmanni, H. leucospilota representing 32.78%,
17.16% and 3.60%, respectively. The presence of S. horrens, S. herrmanni, H. leucospilota
were recorded for the first time in Point Pedro area. According to diversity indices,
maximum species diversity, richness and evenness were reported at Munnai site compared to
Viyaparimoolai site. The information and observations in this study will be of use in
formulating management policies for the sea cucumber fishery in the Point Pedro coastal
area.
