Biology of a high-density population of Stichopus herrmanni at One Tree Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Abstract

The population biology of Stichopus herrmanni on a back reef habitat at One Tree Reef, southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia was investigated. A density of 736 animals per hectare was recorded, and is one of the highest known for this species. Individuals were found in 67% of all transects. The population’s size-frequency distribution approximated a normal distribution with a mean length of 344 mm. There was no evidence of small or juvenile specimens. The mean distance between individuals was 221 cm. Reproductive success is likely to be enhanced by the high density, large size and short distance between individuals. This population will be monitored to provide baseline data on the population biology of S. herrmanni from an unfished reef as a potential reference site for the Great Barrier Reef fishery of this species.