The Diversity and Abundance of the Sea Stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)from Coral Reefs of the Central South China Sea

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the abundance and diversity status of the sea stars from the central South China Sea. An account is given of the species collected during The Research on the Seas and Islands of Malaysia (ROSES) Expedition 2004 from Archipelago of Beting Patinggi Ali to Pulau Layang-Layang, South China Sea. Fifteen reefs were surveyed in Malaysian waters. Surveys for sea star abundance and diversity were done using SCUBA diving and reef walks at low tide. High abundance and species richness was observed. In total, 6 families, 12 genera and 20 species of sea stars were recorded at the study sites. The most dominant family was Ophidiasteridae (12 species) and the most common genus was Linckia spp. (four species). Terumbu Siput (Erica Reef) exhibited the highest diversity of sea stars amongst all the reefs surveyed in this expedition. Ten colour patterns and variations of Culcita novaeguineae were observed and specific to each sampling location. Entire sea star species observed in this study was first time recorded in Central South China Sea. Most of the species (18 species) observed during this expedition have been recorded elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, an indication of the successful larval dispersal along the waters of the South China Sea meanwhile two species are new in South China Sea records, namely Fromia sp. and Leiaster sp.