Diversity, Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Epibenthic Echinoderms in Dungonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan

Dungonab Bay, part of the UNESCO-listed Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park in Sudan's Red Sea, supports a rich and diverse community of epibenthic echinoderms. A study recorded 986 individuals across 16 species, with Holothuriidae being the dominant family (5 species, 342 individuals). Pearsonothuria graeffei was the most abundant species (77 individuals, ~7.81%). Spatial variations in abundance were insignificant, and diversity indices indicated high richness, evenness, and diversity (H' = 2.738, J' = 0.9875, d = 2.791). Distribution patterns varied between clumped and uniform, except for Asthenosoma varium, which consistently showed clumped distribution. The study highlights the ecological significance of Dungonab Bay as a biodiversity hotspot, contributing to conservation efforts in this UNESCO-protected region.

Gaiballa, A. K. (2024). Diversity, Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Epibenthic Echinoderms in Dungonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan. Open Journal of Ecology, 14(04), 366–380. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2024.144022