Studies on the echinoderm fauna of the western Arabian Gulf

Summary

From echinoderm collections made along the western Arabian Gulf between 1971 and 1979, at least 55 species were recorded. Of these, 13 species are new records for the Gulf, and 1 amphiurid possibly a new species to science. Some species show considerable range in depth and habitat preference, while others occur in specific habitat types only. In the Tarut Bay area the total number of echinoderm species does not appear to have changed since 1945–47, although a shift in species composition and change in distribution and abundance of certain species may have occurred.