Seasonal diversity of echinoderms from Rameswaram Island, Palk Bay, Southeast India

• Published in: Regional studies in marine science 2024-12, Vol.77, p.103705, Article 103705
• Main Authors: Mariasingarayan, Yosuva, Jagadeesan, Vanishree, Danaraj, Jeyapragash, Murugan, Maheswaran, Palanivel, Partha Sarathy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bycatch; Diversity; Echinoderms; Rameswaram Island; Trawler
• ISSN: 2352-4855; 2352-4855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103705

A study was conducted to investigate the seasonal diversity of echinoderms along the Palk Bay region of Rameswaram Island. Echinoderm samples were collected weekly throughout 2022, covering post-monsoon, summer, pre-monsoon, and monsoon seasons. The sampling took place at the Rameswaram fish landing centre using random collection methods, primarily focusing on specimens obtained as bycatch from trawls. Morphological identification of the specimens was carried out with reference to established literature. A total of 3601 echinoderms belonging to 25 genera, 33 species, and 17 families were recorded across the four seasons. Analysis of seasonal data revealed the highest number of individuals (1121) during the post-monsoon period and the lowest (734) during summer. The most dominant species identified was Salmacis virgulata, accounting for 21.8 % of the occurrences, followed by Salmacis bicolor at 14.3 % respectively. •A study explored seasonal echinoderm diversity in the Palk Bay region of Rameswaram Island.•A total of 3,601 echinoderms from 25 genera and 33 species were recorded, with Salmacis virgulata being the most dominant.•The study found moderate echinoderm diversity in Rameswaram, Palk Bay region, with a seasonal range of 2.505 to 2.79.•The study strongly recommends banning trawling on seagrass beds in the future to protect echinoderm diversity.