Diversity of holothuroidea by spicule type in the intertidal zone of Sepanjang Beach, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Holothuroidea are common individuals of benthic communities in numerous marine biological systems. They work as supplement recyclers and bioturbators of delicate bottoms and are preyed upon by fishes, birds, mollusks, crustaceans, and other taxa. Sepanjang Beach has a coral community composed of coral reefs and dominated by algae in the surface, which is a habitat for a variety of complex and diverse benthic invertebrates, one of which is holothuroidea. However, little is known about the diversity of holothurians in the area. From 2014 to 2015 there were 5 species found on Sepanjang coast, namely Holothuria leucospilota, Actinopyga echinites, Stichopus horren, Holothuria scabra, and Holothuria hilla. Samples were collected on June 9, 2021 at Sepanjang Beach using the purposive random sampling method and identified based on the type of spicules taken on the dorsal and ventral integument. The results obtained found 7 species, namely Holothuria papilifera, Holothuria cinerascens, Holothuria impatiens, Holothuria pardalis, Actinopyga miliaris, Holothuria hilla, and Actinopyga sp. The absence of previous records of these species may be associated with their low densities and cryptic habits. This research acts to fill knowledge about distribution and diversity of holothurians in the south coast of java island, especially Sepanjang beach, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta.