Identification and Distribution of Echinodermata in Northern Coast of Kish Island

Echinoderms are one of the oldest and the most important marine groups. They play an important role in oceans’ ecology especially in coral reefs. Various species of Echinodermata were identified in the depth of 5 m and in intertidal zone of northern coasts of Kish Island in winter and summer of 2014.

Four stations at the northen coast of Kish Island (Simorgh, Didaniha, Kampe Rahimi, Derakhtsabz) were selected in terms of the characteristics of the zone, and Simorgh site was selected as the main station. Specimens were collected using a 1×1 m2 quadrat and identified following recovery and counting.

Totally, 184 specimens were collected and they belonged to 4 Classes, 6 Families and 7 Species of Echinometra mathaei, Diadema setosum, Clypeaster reticulates, Linckia multiflora, Macrophiothrix elongate, Holothuria (selenkothuria) Bacilla, Holothuria leucospilota. Except for Echinometra mathaei which was identified in “Simorgh station”, no other type of Echinodermata was found in intertidal zone of other stations. In this study, Clypeaster reticulatus, Holothuria leucospilota, Macrophiothrix elongate, Holothuria (selenkothuria) Bacilla were found for the first time in the depth of 5 m of Kish Island. Discussion and

Results showed that density of Echinodermata was higher in summer than in winter. Echinometra mathaei was the most prominent species in the southern cost of Kish Island with a stability coefficient of 24.4 and 18.4 for summer and the winter, respectively. Moreover, indexes of richness increases in cold season and decreased in warm season. According to the stability coefficient and indexes of richness and density in the northern cost of the island, only Simorgh station has no stress and contains rare species. However, other three stations of Didaniha, Derakhtsabz and Kampe Rahimi are under stress and have little common species