The Study of Sea Cucumber (Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola Semper, 1868) Population in the Coast of Chabahar Bay (Gulf of Oman – Iran)

This research aimed to study the Habitat preference features (abundance, distribution, and stability) of sea cucumber (Holothuria arenicola) population in the coast of Chabahar Bay during one year from November 2008 to September 2009. Sampling was randomly done bimonthly during low tide from 5 stations. Then, samples were counted and identified and their spatial and temporal variability were investigated. The results of the study showed that the highest abundance of H. arenicola was in January 2009. According to the results of Kruskal-Wallis analysis, abundance of sea cucumbers showed significant difference in different months and stations (P<0/05). Investigation of distribution and stability indicators revealed that dispersion of H. arenicola was random and its stability was rare.