Distribution and Feeding of the Sea Cucumber Isostichopus badionotus in Relation to Shelter and Sediment Criteria of the Bermuda Platform

The distribution (habitat preference) of the holothurian Isostichopus badionotus (Selenka) on the Bermuda platform is related primarily to shelter from wave action. Within sheltered habitats I. badionotus occupies stable rocky, sandy or muddy substrates with epibenthic biota. I. badionotus of similar size are unselective feeders with regard to particle size of muddy or sandy sediments. I. badionotus can ingest its own feces, which may provide a potentially enriched food resource that is unlikely to persist in areas of turbulent water conditions. The first summary of knowledge on stichopodid feeding is provided. It is suggested that the absence of deposit-feeding holothurians co-occuring with I. badionotus may allow the latter to occupy so many different sheltered habitats, because in more tropical reef flat habitats coexisting holothurian species have better defined habitat and sediment-food requirements.