Sea Cucumber (<i>Holothuria arguinensis</i>) as a Shelter for Juvenile Fish (<i>Diplodus bellottii</i>) in the Gulf of Cadiz (Southwestern Spain)

oleh: Gustavo F. De Carvalho-Souza, David Roque-Atienza, Enrique González-Ortegón

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-10-01

Deskripsi

During a diving survey on soft-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Cadiz (Southwestern Spain), the use of the sea cucumber <i>Holothuria arguinensis</i> (Echinodermata, Holothuriidae) as a shelter by juvenile Senegal’s sea bream <i>Diplodus bellottii</i> (Chordata: Sparidae) was observed. Eight juvenile sea bream <i>D. bellottii</i> were videoed sheltering under the sea cucumber’s body. This observation highlights the importance of sea cucumbers as a shelter for juvenile fish, providing a microhabitat to take refuge from predators. This is the first report of juvenile sea bream sheltered by a sea cucumber.