Seasonal microhabitat use patterns in Japanese sea cucumber <I>Apostichopus japonicus</I> in Funka Bay, Hokkaido, northern Japan

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  • Kashio Sho
    Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University Present address: Natural History Museum of Kishiwada City
  • Yamana Yusuke
    Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University Present address: Wakayama Prefectual Museum of Natural History
  • Furukawa Nami
    Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University
  • Uekusa Ryouto
    Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University
  • Goshima Seiji
    Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University Present address: Fisheries Science Center, Hokkaido University Museum

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 北海道噴火湾におけるマナマコの季節的住み場利用
  • Seasonal microhabitat use patterns in Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in Funka Bay, Hokkaido, northern Japan

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Description

An investigation was conducted to determine the seasonal distribution patterns of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (green type) in Usujiri, Funka Bay of Hokkaido, Japan. Bimonthly SCUBA surveys was conducted from December 2009 to October 2010. Results showed that medium to large sized sea cucumbers (>100 mm in standard body length) showed significant seasonal change in distribution patterns. They were distributed on the upper surface of rocks and sandy seabed during low temperature season and retreated to the under surface of rocks and the bottom underneath rocks during high temperature season. Conversely, small sized sea cucumbers were distributed under surface of rocks and bottom underneath rocks year round. These results suggest that the sea cucumbers change microhabitats seasonally at this study site, and it is related to the individual body size.

Journal

  • Aquaculture Science

    Aquaculture Science 64 (4), 371-378, 2016

    Japanese Society for Aquaculture Science

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