Habitat Preferences of Juvenile Abalone (Haliotis mariaeWood, 1828) Along the Dhofar Coast of Oman andImplications for Conservation

Surveys were conducted along the eastern Dhofar coast of Oman to investigate densities and habitat preferences of juvenileHaliotis mariae ( 3 cm SL). Average density was 0.62 m-2 (SD 0.56); average urchin density was 3.4 urchins m-2 (SD 3.9). Relationshipsbetween juvenile abalone densities and small boulders ( 30 cm in diameter (Ø)) tested significant (p = 0.049), as did those between juvenileabalone and urchin densities (p = 0.031). Selectivity (w) and standardized (B) ratios quantifying the relative probability of selection byjuvenile abalone for different categories of resource available were calculated. For the studied area B values tested significantly different for(p = 0.004) the different habitats, urchins, boulders 30 cm, 30 50 cm, and 50 cm Ø, respectively. B values were highest for urchins (6times that for small boulders), and for boulders 30 cm Ø (double that for boulders 30 50 cm Ø). B values for boulder habitats decreasedas boulder size increased. Urchin utilisation by juvenile abalone as shelter ranged between geographic areas from a minimum of 15.5% toa maximum of 47.6%. The proportion of total habitat that is preferred by more than 97% of juvenile abalone found, including urchins andboulders 50 cm Ø, comprises 29% of surveyed substratum. While the role urchins play on wild juvenile H. mariae has not proved vital, itis definitely significant. Although juvenile densities are low and are not currently limited by the availability of suitable habitat, it is crucial toidentify and conserve those microhabitats that support recruitment of H. mariae. The abundance of these areas should be among the criteriaused in selecting protected conservation areas.