Abstract Summary
Caribbean ecosystem with its diverse habitat is a goldmine for biologists, environmentalists and tourists. While the coral reefs hold extensive value as they are hotspots for diverse species, the Biogenic reefs with the sandcastle worm add to their survival. These are the Sabellariid polychaetes that live in intertidal zones, build reefs in geographically restricted areas as they have a specific limitation for their growth and survival due to the temperature, water circulation and additional external characteristics. While their distribution has been documented in the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia and parts of North and South America, their existence in the Caribbean is seen in parts of the Greater Antilles - Puerto Rico, St.Croix and Virgin Islands. It is the first time; we document and report the growth and distribution of the sandcastle reefs in Nevis, an island of Lesser Antilles. The growth and sustenance of these reefs are directly related to the underlying firm substrates, the continual washing and movement of the intertidal waters with suspended grains. The fringing coral reefs are significant to Nevis; their growth and survival directly related to the climate impact. As the sandcastle reefs in the intertidal zone provide a habitat to numerous marine organisms, their location and existence can be correlated to the coral reefs; give an insight into the climate impact on the island of Nevis. The sandcastle reefs are observed to be located in the North East coastline of Nevis, which is a haven for scuba divers and marine biologists. The aim of this study is to document the type of species in the Nevisian reefs and map their distribution. While this study will provide valuable ecological significance for the benthic and coral habitats, it will add a potential benefit to understand the impact of climate and other human activities in their growth and decline. Further study will help better understand the role of these saberilla in the maintenance of the ecosystem; and study those factors that influence the dynamics of the other reefs to promote conservation.
