Abstract:
A detailed investigation on length-weight relationship of four sea
cucumber species, Holothuria spinifera, Bohadschia marmorata, Stichopus naso, and
Holothuria atra found in the commercial catches of North-East coastal waters of Sri Lanka
was conducted from May 2014 to September 2016. Minimum length and weight were
recorded in S. naso while maximum size was recorded by B. marmorata. Length-weight
relationship was carried out to investigate the correlation coefficient (r), exponent “b” value
and condition factor (K). Calculated length-weight relationships obtained for H. spinifera, B.
marmorata, S. naso and H. atra were W = -1.824 L1.887, W = 0.080 L1.108, W = 0.012 L1.021
,
and W = -0.110 L1.234, respectively. Correlation coefficient for length-weight relationship
ranged from 0.696 to 0.774 and was significant at P<0.01 indicating good correlation
between length and weight. The “b” values of H. spinifera (1.887), B. marmorata (1.108), S.
naso (1.021) and H. atra (1.223) were significantly different (P<0.05) from the hypothetical
value of 3, showing a negative allometric growth pattern. The mean condition factor (K) was
greater than 1; H. spinifera (3.89±1.03), B. marmorata (4.12±2.21), S. naso (3.558±1.73)
and H. atra (2.688±1.34) indicating the good nutritional condition in all four sea cucumbers
species.
