Diversity of the shallow water holothurians in Camotes Islands, Central, Philippines

Abstract

Species diversity of holothurians in Camotes Islands, Cebu Philippines were studied as baseline data for resource and ecological management. A 150 meter transect was laid in sandy, muddy and rocky substrates of the coastal barrios during the day and night assessments of the four municipalities of Camotes Islands which are San Francisco, Poro, Tudela and Pilar. Physico-chemical instruments were used and actual collection of specimen and other data was done in every 10 meter distance in the transect where a 1m quadrat was used. Results showed that there are 20 species of holothurians belonging to 3 families namely Holothuriidae, Stichopodidae and Synaptidae. Results further show that there are 13 common species of Holothurians found in the four municipalities. The most diverse municipality is San Francisco which has 18 species followed by Poro (15); Pilar (14) and Tudela (13). For the distinct species, Holothuria rigida is found only in San Francisco followed by Pearsonothuria graffei (in Tudela and Pilar);