REMCB Formato de modalidad nota científica
1
F
auna
close to
sea cucumber
Isostichopus fuscus
(Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in
1
collectors on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
2
Fauna
aledaña
del pepino de mar
Isostichopus fuscus
(Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) en
3
recolectores de la isla Santa Cruz,
Galápagos
4
5
Rogerio David Feijoo Bermeo
1*
, Jeniffer Yánez Altuna
1
, Hugo Navarrete
1
6
7
1
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales, 12 de
8
Octubre 1076 y Roca, Quito, Ecuador
9
10
*Autor de correspondencia:
rfeijoo251@puce.edu.ec
11
12
Abstract.
-
Isostichopus fuscus
is an invertebrate species distributed from Baja California to the
13
Galapagos Islands.
I. fuscus
holds significant economic value in international markets; however,
14
overfishing has led to its classification as an endangered species. Additionally, the surrounding fauna
15
of I. fuscus remains unknown; such information would be valuable for establishing s
ea cucumber
16
production sites, which rely on the biodiversity surrounding the larvae of this species. This study
17
aimed to determine the accompanying fauna found in Isostichopus fuscus collectors and identify the
18
most representative marine inhabitants to und
erstand their ecological roles. Multiple collectors were
19
installed to simulate the marine habitat where sea cucumbers develop. Associated fauna was collected
20
from two different sites on Santa Cruz Island: La Fe and Las Palmas. The presence or absence of
21
sp
ecies was compared using diversity indices. Las Palmas exhibited a low level of biodiversity
22
(Shannon = 1.792) and low evenness (Simpson = 0.253). La Fe showed higher biodiversity (Shannon
23
= 2.088) and greater evenness (Simpson =
0.459
). Dominant species r
ecorded included:
Polyonyx
24
nitidus
,
Megabalanus vinaceus
, and polychaetes. Both sites have a rich influx of fauna, which is
25
beneficial for the conservation of
I. fuscus
.
26
27
Key words:
sea cucumber, dioecious, collector, diversity index, marine invertebrate,
taxonomy
28
29
Resumen.
-
Isostichopus fuscus
es un invertebrado distribuido desde Baja California hasta las Islas
30
Galápagos. Los
I. fuscus
son económicamente importantes debido a su alto valor en mercados
31
internacionales; sin embargo, la sobrepesca ha llevado a su categorización como especie en peligro
32
de extinción. Además, se desconoce la fauna que se encuentra en los alrededores de
I. fusc
us
; dicha
33
información sería útil para generar sitios de producción de pepinos de mar, lo cual depende la
34
biodiversidad rodea a las larvas esta especie. En el presente estudio se determinó la fauna
35
acompañante que se encuentra en colectores en los alrededor
es de
Isostichopus fuscus
, se
36
identificaron los habitantes marinos más representativos para conocer sus roles ecológicos.
Se
37
instalaron varios colectores que emulan el hábitat marino donde se desarrollan los pepinos de mar. Se
38
recolectó la fauna asociada e
n dos sitios diferentes de la isla Santa Cruz: La Fe y Las Palmas. Se
39
comparó la presencia y ausencia de las especies mediante índices de diversidad.
Las Palmas obtuvo
40
un bajo nivel de biodiversidad (Shannon = 1,792), al igual que una baja equidad (Simpson
= 0,253).
41
Mientras que en el sitio La Fe
mostró
una mayor biodiversidad (Shannon = 2,088), al igual que
una
42
mayor
equidad (Simpson =
0,459
). Entre las especies dominantes se registraron:
Polyonyx nitidus
,
43
Megabalanus vinaceus
y poliquetos.
Ambos sitios t
ienen gran afluencia de fauna, lo cual es favorable
44
para la conservación de
I. fuscus
.
45
46
Palabras clave:
pepinos de mar, dioica, recolectores, índices de diversidad, invertebrados marinos,
47
taxonomía.
48
49
50
Introduction
51
52
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2
Fauna living on the seafloor requires a
suitable substrate to develop properly, as the life cycles of
53
different species involve various larval stages that may last for weeks or months, depending on the
54
species (García
-
Sainz, 2010). This substrate is a crucial ecological component, as it attract
s benthic
55
organisms in need of nutrients. Artificial collectors have enabled researchers to gain insights into the
56
colonization patterns of marine communities. Various models and sizes of these collectors provide
57
optimal conditions for the settlement of ma
rine species, making them valuable tools for both
58
qualitative and quantitative ecological studies in coastal areas (Mendoza & Cabrera, 1998). For
59
several years, the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and several scientists have used
60
artificial coll
ectors to identify settlement areas of commercially important species, such as the spiny
61
lobster and the sea cucumber. The information gathered has been instrumental in developing
62
management strategies aimed at ensuring the long
-
term sustainability of thes
e resources (Espinoza,
63
Nicolaides, Vásquez, & Nagahama, 2006; Espinoza, Masaquiza, & Moreno, 2015).
64
65
Sea cucumbers (holothurians) are long, soft
-
bodied animals that have a calcareous skeleton
66
comprising microscopic spicules embedded in the body wall and is
engared (Brusca & Brusca, 2002).
67
In general, adult holothurians range between 19 and 25 cm in length. They are highly diverse
68
invertebrates, with approximately 1400 described species, including
Isostichopus
fuscus
(Fajardo
-
69
León, Michel
-
Guerrero, & Singh
-
C
abanillass, 1995; Toral et al. 2003; Vergara et al., 2015). They are
70
dioecious and carry out both sexual and asexual reproduction in hermaphrodite individuals in their
71
population (Herrero
-
Pérezrul, Reyes
-
Bonilla, García
-
Domínguez, & Cintra
-
Buenrostro, 1999
).
I.
72
fuscus
(Echinodermata:
Holothuria
) is distributed throughout the rocky coasts and coral reefs of the
73
Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, ranging from Baja California to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador
74
(Solís
-
Marín, Arriaga
-
Ochoa, Laguarda
-
Figueras, & Du
rán
-
González, 2009; Purcell, Hair, & Mills,
75
2012; Herrero et al., 2005). These organisms are benthic and inhabit soft substrates or rocks (Fagetti,
76
2014); they are found in almost all latitudes, from the intertidal zone to oceanic trenches (Kerr &
77
Kim, 200
1). They feed on suspended organic matter dispersed throughout the seafloor as sediment
78
mixtures (Quintanal
-
López et al., 2013; Ruiz et al., 2007).
79
80
In the Galápagos Marine Reserve, sea cucumbers are of high commercial interest due to their high
81
demand in
Asian markets, where they are valued for their purported aphrodisiac and curative
82
properties (García, 2015). When sea cucumber fishing began in the 1990s, no scientific studies had
83
been conducted in Ecuador to support controlled fishing of these organisms,
leading to the official
84
closure of the fishery in Galápagos in August 1992. The following year, government authorities and
85
research centers conducted biological and population studies of
I. fuscus
in the Bolívar Channel
86
(0°19'60" S, 91°22'0" W) (De Paco,
McFarland, Martínez, & Richmond, 1993). In 1999, the sea
87
cucumber fishery was reopened for two months, and increased monitoring began in areas around the
88
islands of Isabela, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Española, and Floreana (Toral et al., 2003). In 2000,
89
s
ignificant recruitment was detected, and minimum population density values had been reached
90
(Granda & Marina, 2001). Subsequently, in 2002, a biweekly fishing calendar, a key tool for fishery
91
management in the Galápagos, was developed based on previous res
earch. This calendar has become
92
essential for the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and the Ministry of Environment in
93
controlling the overexploitation of the Galápagos Islands' fauna. This biological criterion was
94
formally established for the Isl
ands (Granda & Marina, 2001). In early 2005, the Galápagos National
95
Park, the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s marine research strengthening program, and the
96
Charles Darwin Foundation launched the project
“Monitoring of the Most Frequently Caught S
pecies
97
in the Galápagos Marine Reserve”
to control the decline of the archipelago's fauna (Maffare
-
Cotera
98
& Muñis
-
Vidarte, 2015). As an additional measure for the management and conservation of sea
99
cucumbers, the project
“Ecology and Recruitment of Sea Cuc
umbers (Isostichopus fuscus) in the
100
Larval Stage within the Galápagos Marine Reserve”
was proposed in 2019. This project aims to
101
collect sea cucumber larvae using artificial collectors to repopulate areas with deficient populations.
102
It also seeks to furthe
r understand the larvae’s ecology and physiology (Espinoza et al., 2019).
103
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3
Studying the fauna in the sea cucumber larvae’s immediate environment deepens knowledge of
104
specific biodiversity. This information can be used to establish potential production niche
s, as well
105
as aid in the analysis of climate change indicators, such as marine environment quality and area
106
overfishing. Further, monitoring locations with a high sea cucumber population is key for reopening
107
artisanal fishing; these data are available in a
nnual reports from the GNPD (information on sea
108
cucumber population is included in censuses done by the GNPD in 2018 and 2019:
109
https://galapagos.gob.ec/monitoreo
-
poblacional
-
de
-
pepino
-
de
-
mar
-
y
-
langosta
-
espinosa/).
110
111
This study thus aimed to identify
the fauna close to
I. fuscus
using artificial collectors on Santa Cruz
112
Island and subsequently analyze the area’s biodiversity. This information can help expand the
113
understanding of the great diversity of existing marine species (mollusks, crustaceans, etc
.), as each
114
plays an important role on the ocean floor and especially in the highly variable environments of the
115
Galapagos Islands. Many of these species could be used as bio
-
indicators of changes occurring in the
116
Galapagos marine system (Maffare
-
Cotera &
Muñis
-
Vidarte, 2015). Although information on the
117
biological characteristics, distribution, and environmental role of
I. fuscus
in Ecuador exists, the fauna
118
in
I. fuscus
’ surrounding environment is not known with certainty
. Therefore, it is necessary to
119
identify the main organisms in the sea cucumber’s vicinity to determine if the ecosystem is diverse
120
and the populations abundant, which would indicate a healthy sea cucumber habitat. This is especially
121
important considering
it is one of the most biologically and commercially important species of the
122
Galapagos Islands.
123
124
Materials and methods
125
126
Study area
.
-
The Galapagos Islands archipelago, renowned for its unique biodiversity, lies in the
127
Pacific Ocean approximately 1000 km of
f the coast of mainland Ecuador. Within this remarkable
128
ecosystem, our study focused on two distinct sites situated on Santa Cruz Island: Las Palmas and La
129
Fe. Las Palmas, positioned northeast of the island. The study site is characterized by a depth of
130
ap
proximately 15 meters at both collection points, with a moderate temperature averaging around
131
19°C. Point A, located within Las Palmas, features a rugged, rocky substrate, providing an ideal
132
habitat for a variety of marine species. In contrast, Point B at
Las Palmas has a mixed substrate of
133
rock and sand, supporting a different range of organisms (Table 1).
134
135
Similarly, La Fe, situated on the southwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island, presents its own distinct
136
features. The depths at La Fe range from 15 to 20
meters, with an average temperature slightly higher
137
at 19.5°C. Point A at La Fe also has a rocky substrate, mirroring the geological characteristics found
138
throughout many parts of the Galápagos Islands. In contrast, Point B at La Fe combines rocky and
139
sand
y substrate, creating a unique environment that fosters a diverse community of marine life (Table
140
1).
141
142
143
Field phase.
-
This phase constituted collector installation and population monitoring, which took
144
place between the months of April to October With previ
ous sea cucumber surveys (using the
145
standardized circular transect method), a collector was installed in each of the four selected areas
146
within the study. Using a 5.74 m rope was used to cordon off the area where sea cucumbers were
147
found during previous mo
nitoring by the PNGD. Artificial collectors are cylindrical structures,
148
composed of plastic threads in the form of algae or vines. In addition, their interior is filled with
149
substrate suitable for benthic fauna, which are stones found at the bottom of the
sea. The collectors
150
shelter a great diversity of marine fauna. (García
-
Sanz, Tuya, Angulo
-
Peckler, & Haroun, 2011). The
151
procedure for placing the collectors was as follows: buoys were tied to the collector to keep it
152
suspended so that it could be observed
at the surface, and it was also tied to a 50 kg concrete weight
153
on the seafloor to keep it still (Espinoza, Nicolaides, Vásquez, & Nagahama, 2006). To obtain a large
154
sample of area fauna, the collectors remained on the seafloor for 40 to 45 days at depths
of 6 and 9
155
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4
m. The equipment was then removed from the seafloor and taken to the GNPD laboratory for sample
156
processing. The recovered substrate was sieved and rinsed with potable water to remove excess
157
sediment. The trapped specimens were placed in jars con
taining a 70% alcohol solution for immediate
158
preservation. Organisms were observed through a stereoscope for morphological identification and
159
taxonomic classification from order to genus levels using keys and marine invertebrate key manuals
160
(Hickman & Roja
s Lizana, 1998; Hickman & Finet, 1999; Hickman, 2008; Hickman et al. 2009).
161
162
Data analysis
.
-
The data were organized in an Excel spreadsheet, and descriptive analysis was
163
performed using PAST, a free, user
-
friendly data analysis software. The program allow
s for the
164
calculation of various diversity indices, such as Shannon, Simpson, richness, and abundance, based
165
on species abundance and distribution within the data (Moreno et al., 2011; Magurran, 2004).
166
Additionally, a rarefaction curve (Figure 1) was const
ructed to assess sampling effort and determine
167
whether the sampling was sufficient to capture the majority of species in the study area. The
168
rarefaction curve was generated by performing repeated random resampling of the data at
169
progressively larger sample
sizes, calculating the number of species observed at each sample size.
170
This procedure was repeated several times to estimate the expected species richness as a function of
171
sample size, which allowed for the comparison of diversity between different sampli
ng efforts
172
(Hurlbert, 1971; Gotelli & Colwell, 2001).
173
174
Results
175
176
The morphological characterization of the accompanying fauna of
I. fuscus
revealed many different
177
species at the two sites. Of the two collectors at Las Palmas, the COL
-
9M
-
2
-
PALMAS collector
178
(Table 1) recorded approximately 517 specimens from various orders and families of marine
179
invertebrates.
Chaetopterus charlesdarwinii
was
the most represented, with 380 specimens (73.50%
180
of the entire collector sample). Some species were represented by just one individual, such as
181
Telmatactis panamensis
,
Alpheus bellimanus
,
Platypodiella gemmata
,
Cancellaria obesa
, and
182
Lysmata spp
. In the CO
L
-
3M
-
2
-
PALMAS collector (Table 2), approximately 137 specimens were
183
identified, including
Megabalanus vinaceus,
with 80 individuals (58.39% of the entire collector
184
sample). Other species, such as
Cancellaria obesa
,
Teleophry cristulipus
,
Polyonyx nitidus,
185
Lophoxanthus lamellipes
, and
Ophiactis savignyi
, consisted of a single individual (0.73%). In
186
summary, 654 individuals from 32 species were identified at this site.
187
188
The collector COL
-
6M
-
1
-
LA FE at the La Fe site (Table 2
) collected 364 specimens.
Polyony
x nitidus
189
was the most represented species, with 159 individuals (43.68%).
Cronius ruber
was represented by
190
only one individual (0.27%). The second co
llector, COL
-
6M
-
2
-
LA FE (Table 2
), collected 413
191
specimens;
Polyonyx nitidus
was the most represented, wit
h 229 individuals (55.45%). The least
192
represented was
Platypodiella spp
(0.24%),
Leucozonia tuberculata
(0.24%), and
Lythrypnus
193
rhizophora
, with one individual each (0.24%). The amount of
Polyonyx nitidus
specimens was similar
194
in both collectors. In total,
777 specimens and 14 species were identified at the La Fe site.
195
196
The Shannon index calculated from Las Palmas site data was 1.792. The Shannon index varies from
197
0.5 to 5.0; values greater than three indicate high biodiversity, while those less than 2 ind
icate low
198
biodiversity (Soler et al., 2012). Thus, the Las Palmas site had low biodiversity. Simpson’s index for
199
the same site is 0.253. This index represents the probability that two randomly selected individuals
200
belong to the same species. Values range f
rom 0 to 1, with 0 indicating an even population distribution
201
of each species (i.e., more diversity) and 1 no diversity. The study’s result is close to 0, which means
202
some species were more dominant relative to the others. For the La Fe site, the Shannon
index was
203
2.088, which indicates higher diversity than for Las Palmas. Simpson’s index, 0.459, indicates
204
average dominance.
205
206
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5
On the other hand, the results of the rarefaction curve were constructed by sampling two sites on
207
Santa Cruz Island: La Fe and Las
Palmas. Where it is shown that at the beginning the curves overlap,
208
that is to say that neither of the two is more diverse than the other. Subsequently, a significant
209
difference is observed (Figure 1).
210
211
Discussion
212
213
214
During the study period, collectors at
Las Palmas and La Fe on Santa Cruz Island collected 1431
215
individuals, of which 54% corresponded to La Fe and 46% to Las Palmas. For both sites, the phylum
216
Arthropoda was predominant (40%), followed by Annelida (55%) and other phyla (5%). In the
217
research of
Masaquiza (2018), the presence of Arthropoda (32.3%) and Echinodermata (1.6%) was
218
reported in the Galápagos Islands, similar to the results found at Las Palmas and La Fe, where
219
Arthropoda was also prevalent. The high presence of Arthropoda in both studies
may be attributed to
220
the adaptability of this group to the marine substrates of Galápagos, particularly in benthic habitats
221
where they are commonly found. Moreover, in Santa Elena province (a coastal region of Ecuador
222
with seabed characteristics similar t
o those of Galápagos), Sáa (2015) reported similar findings, with
223
Arthropoda (32.3%) and Echinodermata (2%) also being dominant. This further suggests that these
224
taxa are widespread in benthic environments, particularly in habitats that are home to sea cuc
umbers
225
(holothurians) and other marine benthic fauna. These results are consistent across studies, likely
226
because these groups thrive in marine substrates with suitable feeding modes and ecological roles. It
227
is important to note that Masaquiza (2018) speci
fically focused on the fauna surrounding sea
228
cucumbers, which likely explains the presence of Echinodermata, including holothurians, in the
229
study. The sampling methods used in these studies, including benthic sampling and the collection of
230
marine fauna ass
ociated with sea cucumbers, further support these findings
231
232
The current study showed that the most frequently collected species, such as Polyonyx nitidus (order
233
Decapoda), were found from the lower intertidal zone to depths of 9 meters, which corresponds
to
234
the sampling locations of the collectors. Hiller and Werding (2004) reported that P. nitidus can be
235
found at depths of up to 46 meters and prefers sandy substrates, similar to the habitat of sea
236
cucumbers. In the current study, Megabalanus vinaceus (ord
er Sessilia) was found attached to rocks
237
within the study sites. The distribution of this species ranges from the Gulf of Fonseca in Costa Rica
238
(13° N) to the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador (3° S) (Gómez, 2003). A significant presence of diverse
239
polychaetes
(orders Amphinomida, Phyllocida, and Sipunculiformes) was also found. Méndez (2012)
240
mentions that these groups include herbivores, omnivores, and scavengers, which is why they are
241
abundant in areas with rich marine fauna on the seafloor. The aforementioned
taxa were found in high
242
abundance at both sites, suggesting the diversity of the seabed, which consists of both rocky and
243
sandy habitats, and differing from other substrate types (Rivera, 2004). These areas are favorable for
244
sea cucumbers, which primarily
feed on organic particles suspended in the water column, such as
245
detritus, plankton, and microorganisms. The availability of these particles is linked to the dynamic
246
nature of the sediment in these environments, where rocky and sandy substrates contribute
to a high
247
degree of water flow and nutrient cycling, creating favorable conditions for the filtration
-
feeding
248
behavior of sea cucumbers (Zamorano, 2005; Conand, 2004). Therefore, the combination of these
249
substrate types with high availability of suspended
particles likely explains the abundance of sea
250
cucumbers and their association with these areas.
251
252
The Shannon indices in Las Palmas (1.792) and La Fe (2.088) were different and lower than those
253
found by Masaquiza (2018), whose study was conducted on the s
ame island in Galapagos, taking into
254
account that the present study was in areas more remote from the population and in less time. On the
255
other hand, Simpson's index in Las Palmas (0.253) showed that some species (at least three taxa)
256
were dominant, this i
s due to the easy development of these individuals and adaptability to the seabed.
257
The opposite occurred in La Fe (0.459), where there was medium dominance. These data show that
258
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6
La Fe has greater biodiversity than Las Palmas; these results differ from thos
e found by Masaquiza
259
(2018), since this study had a longer duration and the results were greater in abundance and diversity,
260
because they had more material and availability of boats and diving equipment within reach. This
261
information is corroborated by the
construction of the rarefaction curve, which shows that there is a
262
difference between La Fe and Las Palmas. Where La Fe predominates in biodiversity.
263
264
Rivera (2004) found that being distant from populated areas and human activity promotes the better
265
devel
opment of marine species. This is particularly relevant in the case of the current study, where
266
both collection sites, Las Palmas and La Fe, were located far from ports and coastal settlements,
267
providing a relatively undisturbed environment conducive to th
e development of marine fauna,
268
particularly sea cucumbers. The distance from human activity likely contributes to reduced
269
disturbance and allows for more stable ecological conditions, which can positively influence the
270
population dynamics of marine species
.
271
272
In Las Palmas, collecting specimens from the artificial collectors proved challenging due to the depth
273
and the influence of high tide, with some specimens being lost when the collectors were removed.
274
Despite these challenges, the artificial collectors u
sed in this study were designed to replicate the
275
natural substrate, ensuring that they were attractive to the fauna associated with sea cucumbers. By
276
using a substrate similar to that found in the natural environment, the study was able to attract and
277
reta
in a diverse set of species, facilitating the accurate assessment of the benthic community dynamics
278
in these areas. As Espinoza et al. (2015) suggest, the use of artificial collectors with appropriate
279
substrate is a reliable method for studying the species
that interact with sea cucumbers, particularly
280
benthic organisms. This approach also supports the hypothesis that undisturbed sites, such as those
281
studied in this research, provide more favorable conditions for the development of diverse and stable
282
marine
populations.
283
284
Overall, the combination of undisturbed locations, the use of appropriate artificial collectors, and the
285
favorable ecological conditions likely contributed to the higher biodiversity observed in the study,
286
which is consistent with the findin
gs of Rivera (2004), who noted that remote areas tend to foster the
287
development of more resilient and diverse marine communities.
288
289
Finally, the results from both La Fe and Las Palmas show that taxa such as
Chaetopterus
290
charlesdarwinii
,
Megabalanus vinaceus
, and polychaetes, all of which are considered biological
291
indicators, were found in large quantities. The presence or absence of these taxa helps clarify the
292
seafloor conditions with respect to sites suitable for the development and growth of species in th
e
293
Galapagos Islands. In the case of
Isostichopus fuscus
, the presence of these species in areas far from
294
coastal zones is beneficial for its development and conservation, as undisturbed habitats are crucial
295
for the proper growth of sea cucumbers. However,
a larger sample size, using additional collectors,
296
is recommended to obtain more precise data that will further facilitate the conservation of sea
297
cucumbers.
298
299
Given the longer larval stage and slower growth of
I. fuscus
, it is clear that improving the fish
ing
300
protocols for this and other commercially valuable species is essential. Studies such as those by
301
Conand (2004) and Lovatelli et al. (2004) emphasize the need for more sustainable fishing practices,
302
especially in sensitive areas like the Galapagos Isla
nds. The existing artisanal fishing calendar for the
303
Galapagos needs to be refined to ensure that it aligns with the biological cycles of I. fuscus, including
304
its reproduction and growth phases. A more flexible fishing protocol, with specific closed season
s
305
during the peak reproductive periods, could contribute to the long
-
term sustainability of the species
306
and its populations, ensuring both ecological balance and economic benefits for local communities.
307
308
Acknowledgments
309
REMCB Formato de modalidad nota científica
7
I thank the Pontifical Catholic Univ
ersity of Ecuador for their support
for
this project
.
Thanks to
310
Jenifer
Suárez
and Jorge
Vaquero
, authorities of the Galapagos National Park for allowing me to
311
conduct this study in the national park
.
312
Authors contributions
313
RF:
conception and design of
the study, data acquisition,
RF,
HN
and J
Y
:
data analysis and
314
interpretation
,
drafting of the initial version of the manuscript and revision of the manuscript
.
315
Conflict of interest
316
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
317
318
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424
425
426
427
FIGURES
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
Figure 1.
Rarefaction curve in Las Palmas and La Fe
446
447
TABLES
448
449
Table 1.
Georeferenced and general characteristics of study sites.
Sites
Collectors
Concrete
dead
depth
Latitude
Longitude
Temperature
Visibility
Sustrate
Las Palmas
COL
-
9M
-
2
15 m
00.68474°
090.54497°
18 °C
5 m
Rocoso
COL
-
3M
-
2
15 m
00.68415°
090.54572°
20 °C
10 m
Rocoso
-
Arenoso
La Fe
COL
-
6M
-
2
20 m
00.77017°
090.4175°
21 °C
10 m
Rocoso
COL
-
6M
-
1
15 m
00.68186°
090.54605°
18 °C
10 m
Rocoso
-
Arenoso
450
451
452
REMCB Formato de modalidad nota científica
10
Table 2.
Accompanying fauna in the sea cucumber (
I. fuscus
) habitat from four collectors in
Santa Cruz,
Galapagos Islands
Phylum
Order
Family
Species
Collectors
COL
-
9M
-
2
-
Palmas
COL
-
3M
-
2
-
Palmas
COL
-
6M
-
1
-
La Fe
COL
-
6M
-
2
-
La Fe
Arthopoda
Decapoda
Alpheidae
Alpheus bellimanus
1
16
Decapoda
Xanthidae
Xanthodius cooksoni
2
Decapoda
Xanthidae
Clycloxanthops vittatus
3
Decapoda
Xanthidae
Platypodiella gemmata
1
30
21
Decapoda
Xanthidae
Platypodiella
spp
1
Decapoda
Xanthidae
Microcassiope xantusii
13
Decapoda
Palaemonidae
Brachycarpus biunguiculatus
2
Decapoda
Lysmatidae
Lysmata
spp
1
Decapoda
Majidae
Teleophry cristulipus
10
1
17
Decapoda
Porcellanidae
Petrolisthes glasselli
2
Decapoda
Porcellanidae
Polyonyx nitidus
21
1
159
229
Decapoda
Panopeidae
Lophoxanthus lamellipes
1
Decapoda
Inachidae
Stenorhynchus debilis
6
Decapoda
Portunidae
Cronius ruber
1
Stomatopoda
Gonodactylidae
Neogonodactylus pumilus
3
Sessilia
Balanidae
Megabalanus vinaceus(spp)
47
80
Annelida
Amphinomida
Amphinomidae
Eurythoe complanata
3
6
Amphinomida
Amphinomidae
3
Phyllodocida
Nereididae
Nereis
spp
4
4
10
Phyllodocida
Phyllodocidae
10
2
75
123
Sipunculiformes
6
15
37
34
Spionida
Chaetopteridae
Chaetopterus charlesdarwinii
380
Chordata
Perciformes
Gobiidae
Lythrypnus
rhizophora
1
Cnidaria
Actiniaria
Isophellidae
Telmatactis panamensis
1
Echinodermata
Ophiurida
Ophioctidae
Ophiactis savignyi
14
1
Mollusca
Nudibranchia
Discodorididae
Tayuva licina
2
Cidaroida
Cidaridae
Eucidaris galapagensis
3
Negastropoda
Marginellidae
Volvarina nyssa
6
Negastropoda
Cancellaridae
Cancellaria obsesa
1
1
Neogastropoda
Fasciolariidae
Leucozonia tuberculata
1
Littorinimorpha
Triviidae
Trivia pacifica
3
Gastropoda
Terebridae
Terebra
jacquelinae
2
Gastropoda
Terebridae
Terebra
spp
5
Littorinimorpha
Ovulidae
Pseudocypraea adamsonii
7
Arcoida
Arcidae
Barbatia rostae
2
Total
517
137
364
413
453
454
455