POPULATION DENSITY AND

DISTRIBUTION OF SEA
CUCUMBER ALONG THE
INTERTIDAL ZONES OF
QUINAPAGUIAN ISLAND,
MERCEDES, CAMARINES
NORTE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
ECHINODERMS
are
characterized by radial symmetry and the body is consist of five
equal segments, each containing a duplicate set of various internal
organs
are found in all marine waters of the world except the Arctic
Echinoderms are efficient scavengers
Holothuroidea
Or sea cucumbers contains about 1200 species
usually live on the sea floor
are used as delicacies and a part of folk medicine in Asia
are not in the list of endangered species in the Philippines
33 species are currently harvested commercially
Quinapaguian Island
Located in Mercedes, Camarines Norte
It is in the middle and of the seven islands of Mercedes
Consist of three puroks (including Malasugui Island)
It is surrounded by white sandy shore and rocky shore
IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
will give considerable information about sea cucumbers in Quinapaguian
Island
willgive awareness to the residents of Quinapaguian of the presence of sea
cucumbers within the vicinity. Thus, they can be informed about the
importance of sea cucumbers particularly in economic and ecological
aspects.
willserve as reference for future project in relation to marine natural
resources.
will serve as reference to provide information for future researchers who
shall conduct other related studies.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Identify
and classify the sea cucumber specimens
Analyze the population density of sea cucumber
Determine the distribution pattern of sea cucumber
SCOPE AND LIMITATION
This study will focus on population density and
distribution of sea cucumbers found in the two
(2) different sampling sites along the intertidal
zones of Quinapaguian Island, Mercedes,
Camarines Norte.
TIME AND PLACE OF THE STUDY

This study will be conducted in selected

areas of intertidal zones of Quinapaguian
Island, Mercedes, Camarines Norte. The
period of study will be on October 23, 24,
25, 2016 during low tide.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SEA CUCUMBER

AUTHOR FINDINGS

Castro & Huber, 2008 Sea cucumbers have worm-like bodies. They do not have spines and lack on
obvious radial symmetry. The animal lies on one side, where five rows of tube
feet are concentrated. The oral and arboral surfaces are at the ends. The
endoskeleton consists of microscopic, calcareous spicules scattered throughout
the warty, often tough skin.

National Oceanic and The defense mechanism of sea cucumbers; Most sea
Atmospheric Administration cucumbers are scavengers
[NOAA],2015
 HABITAT OF SEA CUCUMBER
AUTHOR FINDINGS

Waitabu Marine Park, Sea cucumbers are associated with coral reef
2016 ecosystems.

Hui, 2008 Sea cucumbers lives nearly in every marine environment

but they are more diverse in tropical shallow-water coral
reefs
 LIFE CYCLE OF SEA CUCUMBER
AUTHOR FINDINGS

Waitabu Marine Park, Many tropical species reproduce at the start of

2016 warmer months and few species spawn in cooler
months
ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMICAL IMPORTANCE OF SEA CUCUMBER
AUTHOR FINDINGS

Byrne, 2012 Sea cucumbers could play a key role in saving

coral reefs from devastating effects of climate
change

Bordbar, Anwar & As a food source and as folk medicine

Saari, 2011
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
Thisstudy will use descriptive classification to determine the
sea cucumbers population density, distribution patterns and
morphological features for identification of sea cucumber
found along the intertidal zone of Quinapaguian Island.
SUBJECT OF THE STUDY
This study will focus mainly on sea cucumbers
inhabiting the intertidal zone of Quinapaguian
Island.
SAMPLING PROCEDURES AND
TECHNIQUE
Sampling Site Identification
Establishing the Belt Transect Line
Collection of Sea Cucumber Specimens
Sampling Site Identification
Sampling Site 2

Sampling Site 1

Sampling Site 1: Sampling Site 2:

140413.5 N Latitude 140424.6 N Latitude
1230407.4 E Longitude 12304 29.7 E Longitude
Establishing of Belt Transect Line
Belt transect will be used during sampling in each sampling sites.

200m2 200m2

100m2 100m2 100m 100m2 100m

2

1m 1m 1m 1m

First Station 50m Second Station

Collection of Sea Cucumber Species
Sea cucumber will be collected within the belt transect line through
manual hand picking with gloves and tong. Safety precautions will be
employed in handling or hand picking of the samples. The collected
samples will be placed in a jar. The specimens gathered will be counted,
examined and recorded in a data sheet.
DATA COLLECTION

Identification of Sea Cucumber Species

Analyzation of Population Density of Sea Cucumber
Determination of the Distribution Pattern of Sea Cucumber
Identification of Sea Cucumber
Specimens
Unrecognized specimen will be transferred in a jar with 70% ethanol for
preservation. It will be placed in a pre-labeled zip lock for identification
in the laboratory. The species that cannot be identified will be delivered
to the National Museum for identification.
Analyzation of Population Density of Sea
Cucumbers
After the collection of sample, the gathered data (individuals) obtained
and the sampling site where the sea cucumbers collected will be used for
the determination of population density of the sea cucumbers. The
researchers will determine the population density of sea cucumbers using
the required formula.

Determination of the Distribution Pattern
of Sea Cucumber
The distribution of sea cucumbers will be determined by the number of
individuals in the area. This will be done by counting each individual in
each sampling site and will be recorded. The data that will be gathered
will be presented by a frequency distribution table.
As for the distribution pattern, it can be classified into random, uniform
and clumped.