Length-weight relationships of four different sea cucumber species in North-East coastal region of Sri Lanka

Abstract

A detailed investigation on length-weight relationship of four sea cucumber species, Holothuria spinifera, Bohadschia marmorata, Stichopus naso, and Holothuria atra found in the commercial catches of North-East coastal waters of Sri Lanka was conducted from May 2014 to September 2016. Minimum length and weight were recorded in S. naso while maximum size was recorded by B. marmorata. Length-weight relationship was carried out to investigate the correlation coefficient (r), exponent “b” value and condition factor (K). Calculated length-weight relationships obtained for H. spinifera, B. marmorata, S. naso and H. atra were W = -1.824 L1.887, W = 0.080 L1.108, W = 0.012 L1.021, and W = -0.110 L1.234, respectively. Correlation coefficient for length-weight relationship ranged from 0.696 to 0.774 and was significant at P<0.01 indicating good correlation between length and weight. The “b” values of H. spinifera (1.887), B. marmorata (1.108), S. naso (1.021) and H. atra (1.223) were significantly different (P<0.05) from the hypothetical value of 3, showing a negative allometric growth pattern. The mean condition factor (K) was greater than 1; H. spinifera (3.89±1.03), B. marmorata (4.12±2.21), S. naso (3.558±1.73) and H. atra (2.688±1.34) indicating the good nutritional condition in all four sea cucumbers species.

Keywords

• allometric growth, coastal waters, holothuria spinifera, length-weight relationship