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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Distribution, density and size structure of Oreaster reticulatus and Luidia senegalensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Cubagua Island, Venezuela
Revista de Biología Tropical, Vol.60(3), pp.1149-1159
09/2012
PMID: 23025086
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Source: InCites
Abstract
There is limited biological information about the starfish Oreaster reticulatus and the nine-armed starfish Luidia senegalensis in Venezuelan waters. These species are currently considered threatened in many localities of the Caribbean, Brazil and Colombia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe their population density, size distribution and population structure in Cubagua Island. During 2008, 52 stations located around the island were evaluated using band transects of 50m2. Each organism was counted and measured (maximum radius), and its size was compared to the maturity length reported in the literature. The results for O. reticulatus include: 167.3ind./ha; 33% juveniles and 67% adults; average size of 10.7 +/- 5cm (range: 2.2-21cm); a wide distribution around the island, with higher densities in the Eastern and Southwest areas. The 50% of the specimens were found in seagrass beds, 25% in sand, 16% in areas covered by decomposed seaweeds, 9% in oyster beds and 1% coralline patches. The densities of O. reticulatus were higher than those reported in the Caribbean, Panama and Puerto Rico, but lower than Venezuelan National Parks: Mochima and Morrocoy; as well as in the Virgin Islands and Belize. For L. senegalensis we found an average density of 40ind./ha; 95% exceeded the reported size at maturity, with mean length of 12cm +/- 3.5cm (range: 3.5-22.3cm); they were found only in 15% of the stations of which 92.5% were sandy bottoms and the other 7.5% oyster beds. The degree of aggregation of L. senegalensis was greater than O. reticulatus, with an estimated k of 0.06. However, it was not possible to compare the densities of L. senegalensis with any other study. For both species is recommended to carry out reproductive studies and to monitor their population densities to infer temporal variations.
Details
- Title
- Distribution, density and size structure of Oreaster reticulatus and Luidia senegalensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Cubagua Island, Venezuela
- Creators
- Alejandro Tagliafico - Universidad de OrienteMaría Salomé Rangel - Universidad de OrienteNéstor Rago - Fundación la Salle de Ciencias Naturales
- Publication Details
- Revista de Biología Tropical, Vol.60(3), pp.1149-1159
- Publisher
- Universidad de Costa Rica * Editorial
- Grant note
- Provita and IEA
- Identifiers
- 991012979165402368
- Copyright
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0)
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English; Spanish
- Resource Type
- Journal article