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Deepa R. Pillai TAXONOMY, DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY OF SEA CUCUMBERS (HOLOTHUROIDEA: ECHINODERMATA) ALONG KERALA COAST UGC-MINOR PROJECT Executive Summary Among the members of the Phylum Echinodermata, Sea cucumbers are highly evolved invertebrates, exhibiting affinities to higher phyla. They possess high economic value as a source of food and are an important commercial fishery resource. Since they are used in treatment of cardiovascular disease and tumours, they have much importance in the medical field. Culture of echinoderms, particularly the holothurians has become a major aquaculture activity in many parts of the world. Detailed taxonomic studies on the sea cucumber fauna of Kerala coastconductedduring the period 2013-2015 revealed the presence of ten species of sea cucumbers. These species were collected mainly from the rocky shores of Kerala such as Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Mulloor, Thirumullavarum and Neendakara fishing harbour. Among the various sites of collection, Vizhinjamwaslocated as ideal habitat rich in sea cucumber diversity. Environmental parameters were studied by taking water samples from the region of occurrence of sea cucumbers. Those parameters influencing the ecology of sea cucumbers showed that their exist seasonal variation in these parameters, which might influence the migration of the species and occurance of the species.Feeding biology of two selected species of sea cucumbers studied indicated that they are either detritus feeders or algal grazers, playing important role in nutrient recycling in ocean floors. Bar coding of sea cucumbers has been done from the mitochondrial genecytochrome oxidase 1 and it supports the conventional taxonomic identification. The bar coded data is submitted to GenBank and accession numbers obtained for further reference and research. This formed the first submission of DNA data of sea cucumbers from India. The holothurians are susceptible to over exploitation and are included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India. So emphasis on sustainable utilization and conservation of sea cucumber fishery must be needed.Cultivation of sea cucumbers has thus become a necessity in India both for stock enhancement programs and as a means to meet market demand. This can be done by rearing sea cucumber through integrated farming with shrimp and other marine organisms like oysters.