Colochirus robustus

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Colochirus robustus
Sea cucumber yellow komodo.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Dendrochirotida
Family: Cucumariidae
Genus: Colochirus
Species:
C. robustus
Binomial name
Colochirus robustus
Östergren, 1898 [1]
Synonyms
  • C. luteus Sluiter, 1901
  • C. robustoides Ekman, 1918
  • C. squamatus Sluiter, 1901

Colochirus robustus, commonly known as the robust sea cucumber or the yellow sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Cucumariidae. It is found in shallow seas in tropical parts of the central Indo-Pacific region. C. robustus belongs to the class Holothuroidea, a group of echinoderms called sea cucumbers and known for unusual behavior including evisceration, asexual reproduction, and regeneration. The robust sea cucumber has a soft body and lacks a spine, but it does have an endoskeleton consisting of microscopic spicules, or ossicles, made of calcium carbonate. [2] C. robustus has a respiratory tree that allows it to extract oxygen for respiration, using the anus to pump water. The robust sea cucumber is an important dietary staple for many East and Southeast Asian populations, and has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Recent research suggests that peptides from C. robustus enhance the activity of the immune system. [3]

Contents

Description

C. robustus near Komodo, Indonesia Yellow sea cucumber at Hot Rocks.jpg
C. robustus near Komodo, Indonesia

Colochirus robustus is roughly cylindrical with 5 shallow longitudinal ribs and grows to about 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in length. It has an angular appearance and fingerlike or thornlike protuberances on the ribs. At the anterior end is a ring of about eight large, feathery feeding tentacles. There is a slight transverse indentation near the rounded posterior end. There are three rows of tube feet on the underside. The colour is a vivid yellow, sometimes with grey between the ridges.

Distribution

Colochirus robustus is found in the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region at depths down to about 25 metres (82 ft). Its range includes the Philippines and Indonesia. [4]

Origin and phylogeny

Sea cucumbers, or Holothuroidea, belong to the phylum Echinodermata, a group that also contains organisms such as sea stars and sea urchins. [2] The earliest fossil evidence of sea cucumbers comes from 400 million years ago. [5] Holothurians can be found throughout the world in marine benthic environments, but are most diverse in the shallow water of the Indo-West Pacific, where C. robustus is found. DNA evidence strongly supports monophyly of all Holothuroidea: That is, all species previously identified as belonging to the class are indeed descended from a common ancestor. [6]

Within Holothuroidea, C. robustus belongs to a clade called Neoholothuriida, a highly diverse group identified by having two gonads. Neoholothuriida contains the orders Dendrochirotida, Synallactictida, Molpadida, and Persiculida. Therefore, C. robustus, as a member of the Dendrochirotida order, is most closely related to sea cucumbers within Synallactitida, Molpadida, and Persiculida. C. robustus is more distantly related to the Holothuriida, Elasipodida, and Apodida orders of sea cucumbers. The clade Dendrochirotida is defined by dendritic tentacles around the mouth and the presence of an introvert: retracting muscles that withdraw the tentacles and anterior end of the sea cucumber into the body. [6]

Behavior and reproduction

Colochirus robustus is usually found on rocks and reefs in places with moderate to rapid water flow. It clings to the substrate with its tube feet, spreading its feathery tentacles to catch zooplankton and other organic particles as they float past. The tentacles are then retracted to the mouth where the food particles are scraped off. [7]

A group of robust sea cucumbers on a reef in Bali, Indonesia Colochirus robustus on reef.jpg
A group of robust sea cucumbers on a reef in Bali, Indonesia

Some Holothurians may reproduce asexually by fission. It was reported that C. robustus was capable of fission, but there was no evidence of asexual reproduction in natural populations. When placed in a tank under poor environmental conditions, however, asexual reproduction by fission was observed in C. robustus. It is likely asexual reproduction was not found in natural populations because the conditions were not stressful enough. [8] Therefore, Colochirus robustus can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In the latter case, fission can take place with a transverse crack developing halfway along the body and gradually widening until the two halves split apart. The posterior end then grows a new anus while the anterior end develops a mouth and new tentacles. [9]

Echinoderms are capable of restoring lost body parts, a skill utilized by Holothurians in several ways. Many Holothurians, including C. robustus, are capable of regeneration when transected. A 2012 study of Holothurians in Nha Trang Bay first found that when C. robustus was cut in half, both its posterior and anterior ends could survive. To regenerate its digestive organ in the anterior end, the gut atrophies up to the esophagus, and new gut develops from there. In the posterior end, the gut does not atrophy but becomes thinner and grows forward. Most Dendrochirotids have not been found to be capable of regeneration of both ends when transected. Usually only the anterior end can survive; however, C. robustus is an exception. [10]

In order to escape predators, some Holothurians are capable of evisceration: a process in which the gut and other internal organs are suddenly expelled through the mouth or anus. [2] When injected with potassium chloride, many of the species of holothurians will perform evisceration, but potassium chloride has been shown to fail to induce evisceration in C. robustus. [10] Evisceration was observed, however, when C. robustus was placed in a tank under poor environmental conditions. Like asexual reproduction, evisceration in C. robustus is thought to be brought on by stressful conditions [8]

Uses and purported health benefits

Colochirus robustus is sometimes kept in reef aquaria because of its distinctive appearance. It is only recommended for experts however as it may release toxins into the water if stressed and has specialised feeding requirements. [11]

C. robustus has been used in Eastern medicine for hundreds of years, and recent research suggests that consuming the robust sea cucumber does indeed stimulate the immune system. In a 2017 study, Sea Cucumber Peptides, or SCP, were orally administered to mice. The mice showed a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation, serum albumin levels, and natural killer cell and helper T cell activity; in other words, consuming the proteins of the robust sea cucumber had a positive effect on the mouse immune system. Natural Killer cells are cytotoxic; they help eliminate tumors and fight infectious diseases. In addition, C. robustus has been shown to improve wound healing and alleviate pain from arthritis, and it contains many vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that are highly beneficial to human health. [12]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea cucumber</span> Class of echinoderms

Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea. They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. They are found on the sea floor worldwide. The number of known holothurian species worldwide is about 1,786, with the greatest number being in the Asia–Pacific region. Many of these are gathered for human consumption, and some species are cultivated in aquaculture systems. The harvested product is variously referred to as trepang, namako, bêche-de-mer, or balate. Sea cucumbers serve a useful role in the marine ecosystem as they help recycle nutrients, breaking down detritus and other organic matter, after which bacteria can continue the decomposition process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea apple</span> Non-taxonomic group of sea cucumbers

Sea apple is the common name for the colorful and somewhat round sea cucumbers of the genus Pseudocolochirus, found in Indo-Pacific waters. Sea apples are filter feeders with tentacles, ovate bodies, and tube-like feet. As with many other holothurians, they can release their internal organs or a toxin into the water when stressed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dendrochirotida</span> Order of sea cucumbers

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<i>Isostichopus fuscus</i> Species of sea cucumber

Isostichopus fuscus, commonly known as the brown sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Stichopodidae native to the eastern Pacific. It was first described to science by German biologist Hubert Ludwig in 1875.

<i>Holothuria atra</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria atra, commonly known as the black sea cucumber or lollyfish, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Holothuriidae. It was placed in the subgenus Halodeima by Pearson in 1914, making its full scientific name Holothuria (Halodeima) atra. It is the type species of the subgenus.

<i>Enypniastes</i> Genus of sea cucumbers

Enypniastes is a genus of deep-sea sea cucumber. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Enypniastes eximia. Due to its unique appearance, the species has been dubbed the headless chicken fish, headless chicken monster, and the Spanish dancer. It is also known as the swimming sea cucumber, and some are called the pink see-through fantasia.

<i>Australostichopus</i> Genus of sea cucumbers

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<i>Colochirus quadrangularis</i> Species of sea cucumber

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<i>Holothuria parvula</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria parvula, the golden sea cucumber, is a species of echinoderm in the class Holothuroidea. It was first described by Emil Selenka in 1867 and has since been placed in the subgenus Platyperona, making its full scientific name Holothuria (Platyperona) parvula. It is found in shallow areas of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico and is unusual among sea cucumbers in that it can reproduce by breaking in half.

<i>Holothuria leucospilota</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria leucospilota, commonly known as the black sea cucumber or black tarzan, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Holothuriidae. It is placed in the subgenus Mertensiothuria making its full scientific name Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota. It is the type species of the subgenus and is found on the seabed in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiridotidae</span> Family of sea cucumbers

Chiridotidae is a family of sea cucumbers found in the order Apodida. Within the family, there are 16 recognized genera all with different ranges of body types and functions. Sea cucumbers play a fundamental role in many marine ecosystems.

Leptosynapta dolabrifera, the snot sea cucumber, is a small sea cucumber under the class Holothuroidea (1), in the family Synaptidae. It is most closely related to another species in its genus of 34 species Leptosynapta known as Leptosynapta inhaerens.

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<i>Holothuria hilla</i> Species of sea cucumber

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<i>Holothuria difficilis</i> Species of sea cucumber

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<i>Holothuria impatiens</i> Species of sea cucumber

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References

  1. ↑ Paulay, Gustav (2010). "Colochirus robustus Östergren, 1898". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  2. 1 2 3 Castro, Peter; Huber, Michael E. (16 September 2015). Marine biology (Tenth ed.). New York. ISBN   9780078023064. OCLC   907556632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ Du, Xiaogang; Lian, Fangliang; Li, Yunkun; Li, Dong; Wu, Dayong; Feng, Qunli; Feng, Zhijiang; Li, Yun; Bu, Guixian (2017-10-08). "Peptides from Colochirus robustus Enhance Immune Function via Activating CD3ζ- and ZAP-70-Mediated Signaling in C57BL/6 Mice". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 18 (10): 2110. doi: 10.3390/ijms18102110 . ISSN   1422-0067. PMC   5666792 . PMID   28991187. S2CID   7248605.
  4. ↑ Robust Sea Cucumber(Colochirus robustus) Marine Species Gallery. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  5. ↑ Usup, Gires; Hussin, Rosnah; Hashim, Ridzwan; Nordin, Noor Faizul Hadry; Anua, Mohd Hanafi; Ahmad, Hajar Fauzan; Lukman, Ahmad Lutfi; Rehan, Aisyah Mohamed; Kamarudin, Kamarul Rahim (2009-08-27). "Coral Reef Sea Cucumbers in Malaysia". Malaysian Journal of Science. 28 (2): 171–186. doi: 10.22452/mjs.vol28no2.6 . ISSN   2600-8688.
  6. 1 2 Miller, Allison; Kerr, Alexander M.; Paulay, Gustav; Reich, Mike; Wilson, Nerida G.; Carvajal, Jose I.; Rouse, Greg W. (June 2017). "Molecular Phylogeny of Extant Holothuroidea (Echinodermata)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 111: 110–131. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.02.014 . PMID   28263876.
  7. ↑ Colochirus robustus DiveGaller. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  8. 1 2 Dolmatov, I. Yu. (May 2014). "New data on asexual reproduction, autotomy, and regeneration in holothurians of the Order Dendrochirotida". Russian Journal of Marine Biology. 40 (3): 228–232. doi:10.1134/S1063074014030031. ISSN   1063-0740. S2CID   18847014.
  9. ↑ FAQs about Sea Cucumbers 2 Wet Web Media. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  10. 1 2 Dolmatov, I. Yu.; Khang, Nguyen An; Kamenev, Ya. O. (May 2012). "Asexual reproduction, evisceration, and regeneration in holothurians (Holothuroidea) from Nha Trang Bay of the South China Sea". Russian Journal of Marine Biology. 38 (3): 243–252. doi:10.1134/S1063074012030042. ISSN   1063-0740. S2CID   13086192.
  11. ↑ Yellow Sea Cucumber Archived 2013-07-19 at the Wayback Machine Aquariumdomain.com. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  12. ↑ Du, Xiaogang; Lian, Fangliang; Li, Yunkun; Li, Dong; Wu, Dayong; Feng, Qunli; Feng, Zhijiang; Li, Yun; Bu, Guixian (2017-10-08). "Peptides from Colochirus robustus Enhance Immune Function via Activating CD3ζ- and ZAP-70-Mediated Signaling in C57BL/6 Mice". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 18 (10): 2110. doi: 10.3390/ijms18102110 . ISSN   1422-0067. PMC   5666792 . PMID   28991187. S2CID   7248605.
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