First record of Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra Jaeger, 1833 (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the coastal waters of the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The presence of an endangered and economically valuable species of sea cucumber, Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra Jaeger, 1833, was investigated in the Alqurm Wa Lehhfaiiah Protected Area near the city of Kalba in the Emirate of Sharjah. Sea cucumber specimens were collected, and identification was first conducted using morphological keys. H. scabra identification was confirmed through microscopic observation of ossicles. Though this species is known to occur in other regions along the Gulf of Oman, this paper represents the first published record of H. scabra, in the coastal waters of the United Arab Emirates.

Keywords

• Bêche-de-mer
• Endangered
• Echinodermata
• Holothuroidea
• Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra
• United Arab Emirates