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Seasonal distribution pattern of adult sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Stichopodidae) in Yoshimi Bay, western Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

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Abstract

To examine the distribution pattern of adult Apostichopus japonicus, approximately monthly surveys were conducted during a 2-year period in the subtidal zone of a harbor area in Yoshimi Bay, western Yamaguchi Prefecture. Results showed a clear seasonal change in distribution pattern: many animals were distributed on the seabed and the lower part of a jetty during winter to spring, whereas most animals occurred on the upper part of a jetty during summer to autumn, namely, the aestivation season. Such change is considered to be due to the migration of animals within the present study site.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. S. Wada and Dr. K. Nakata of Hokkaido University, Dr. T. Handa, and Dr. A. Araki of National Fisheries University for helpful suggestions. This study was partly supported by Research Fellowships of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for Young Scientists (No. 19-1156).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Benthos Research Group, Graduate School of Fisheries Science, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611, Japan

    Yusuke Yamana

  2. Department of Applied Aquabiology, National Fisheries University, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, 759-6595, Japan

    Tatsuo Hamano

  3. Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611, Japan

    Seiji Goshima

Authors
  1. Yusuke Yamana
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  2. Tatsuo Hamano
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  3. Seiji Goshima
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yusuke Yamana.

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Y. Yamana is a Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

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Yamana, Y., Hamano, T. & Goshima, S. Seasonal distribution pattern of adult sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Stichopodidae) in Yoshimi Bay, western Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Fish Sci 75, 585–591 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-009-0076-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-009-0076-2

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