Ecological Study of Heteromastus filiformis Living in the Coastal Area, Korea

The finding aim to serve as foundational data for determining the ecological role of H. filiformis. Field surveys were conducted in May and August 2017 to analyze the benthic environment and macrobenthos in the subtidal zones of Korea coastal areas. A total of 117 stations were selected. The total abundance of H. filiformis was 2,408 individuals per 35.1 m² in May and 2,938 individuals per 35.1 m² in August. The species was collected at 90 stations in May and 87 stations in August, showing no significant seasonal variation. No significant correlations were observed between the abundance of H. filiformis and benthic environmental factors. Given the lack of a clear relationship with specific benthic environmental factors, it is suggested that the pollution index rating for H. filiformis be adjusted from III to I.