Systematics, biology, ecology And zoogeography of holothurians: Zoogeography and Systematics of holothurians used for Beche-de'mer in India

Although holothurians have wide range of distribution in general, they are restricted to certain regions and also have localised distribution in some cases. Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra is distributed in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay and also at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but not represented in the Lakshadweep. Holothuria (Theelothuria) spinifera has a localised distribution in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis is abundant in the Lakshadweep, but absent in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Species of Actinopyga occur in the Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but not on the Indian side of the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Brief notes on the taxonomy of commercially important holothurians are given