Holothuria atra

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Holothuria atra
Holothuria atra.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Holothuriida
Family: Holothuriidae
Genus: Holothuria
Species:
H. atra
Binomial name
Holothuria atra
Jaeger, 1833 [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • Halodeima atra Jaeger, 1833
  • Holothuria affinis Brandt, 1835
  • Holothuria amboinensis Semper, 1868
  • Holothuria radackensis Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821
  • Holothuria sanguinolenta Saville-Kent, 1893

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. [2]

Contents

Description

Holothuria atra is a sea cucumber that can grow to a length of 60 centimetres (24 in) but 20 centimetres (7.9 in) is a more common size. It has a smooth, pliable, entirely black skin which often has sand adhering to it, especially in smaller individuals. The mouth is on the underside at one end and is surrounded by a fringe of 20 black, branched tentacles. The anus is at the other end. [3] [4]

Distribution and habitat

Holothuria atra is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, its range extending from the Red Sea and East Africa to Australia. It is found on the seabed, in shallow waters on reefs and sand flats and in seagrass meadows at depths of up to 20 metres (66 ft). [2] [3] Its colouring makes it conspicuous but it is very often camouflaged by a coating of sand which may also serve to keep it cool by protecting it from the sun's rays. It favours reef flats where it is not fully exposed to the waves but the water is well aerated, and shallows beside slabs of rock from under which cool water wells out when the tide retreats. In such places it is often found in pools above the low tide mark which are warmed by the sun during the day. Holothuria atra seems to tolerate these high temperatures well and individuals appeared healthy and were feeding when the water temperature rose as high as 39 °C. [5]

Biology

Holothuria atra is an omnivore, sifting through the sediment with its tentacles and feeding on detritus and other organic matter. As a defence against predators, Holothuria atra emits a toxic red fluid when its skin is rubbed or damaged. [3] When attacked, it does not eject Cuvierian tubules in the way that some sea cucumbers do, but instead extrudes its internal organs through its anus.

It is not possible to distinguish between male and female Holothuria atra externally. Maturity is reached at a body length of about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) and spawning mostly takes place during the summer and autumn although in equatorial waters it may take place all year round. [6] It takes a minimum of 18-25 days for Holothuria atra to reach natural competence. [7] Holothuria atra is also fissiparous, meaning that it can reproduce by transverse fission. [4] [8] It is mostly smaller individuals which divide in this way. A constriction appears, becomes deeper and deeper, and after some time the integument separates leaving two relatively wide but short individuals. [5] No sand adheres to the newly separated surfaces as there are no tube feet present to retain the grains. [5]

Ecology

Holothuria atra, like many echinoderms, engage in sediment bioturbation—a process which plays an important role in the health of coral reefs. [9] Holothuria atra is often found associated with the polychaete worm Gastrolepidia clavigera , a black worm which crawls about over the sea cucumber's skin. [2] Holothuria atra seems to have few natural predators. [5]

Lissocarcinus orbicularis , a small crab, is known to live on this species in a commensal relationship. [10]

Uses

In the Pacific Islands, Holothuria atra is collected by diving or by wading at low tide, and used for human consumption; its commercial value, however, is low. [4] On Guam, the toxic red fluid that Holothuria atra releases is utilized to drive octopuses out of hiding holes. [11]

Compounds of potential biomedical importance are present in Holothuria atra, including lectin, steroidal sapogenins and triterpene glycoside. [12]

Related Research Articles

<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.

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

Holothuria mexicana, the donkey dung sea cucumber, is commonly found in the Caribbean and the Azores. It is a commercially important aspidochirote sea cucumber that can reach a total length of 50 cm (20 in).

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

Holothuria forskali, the black sea cucumber or cotton-spinner is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is found at shallow depths in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It was placed in the subgenus Panningothuria by Rowe in 1969 and is the type taxon of the subgenus.

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

Holothuria scabra, or sandfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It was placed in the subgenus Metriatyla by Rowe in 1969 and is the type species of the subgenus. Sandfish are harvested and processed into "beche-de-mer" and eaten in China and other Pacific coastal communities.

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

Holothuria thomasi, the tiger's tail, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. Although it is the largest sea cucumber known in the western Atlantic Ocean, it is so well camouflaged that it was 1980 before it was first described. It is placed in the subgenus Thymiosycia making its full name Holothuria (Thymiosycia) thomasi.

<i>Colochirus robustus</i> Species of echinoderm

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. 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.

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

Pearsonothuria is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Holothuriidae. Pearsonothuria graeffei is the only species in the genus. Graeffe's sea cucumber is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean and the type locality is Viti Island, Fiji. It is named after Eduard Heinrich Graeffe, Semper's coworker at the Museum Godeffroy.

<i>Lissocarcinus orbicularis</i> Species of crab

Lissocarcinus orbicularis, common names sea cucumber crab, red-spotted white crab, and harlequin crab is a species of crab in the family Portunidae. This species gains one of its names from its close-knit relationship with holothuroids, the sea cucumbers. L. orbicularis should not be confused with L. laevis, a similar species of swimming crab, or Camposcia retusa, both of which are also commonly referred to as the harlequin crab. L. orbicularis displays numerous morphological and social adaptations for feeding and has a large distribution throughout the Indo-West Pacific.

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

Holothuria floridana, the Florida sea cucumber, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Holothuriidae. It is found on the seabed just below the low tide mark in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

<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.

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

Holothuria edulis, commonly known as the edible sea cucumber or the pink and black sea cucumber, is a species of echinoderm in the family Holothuriidae. It was placed in the subgenus Halodeima by Pearson in 1914, making its full scientific name Holothuria (Halodeima) edulis. It is found in shallow water in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean.

<i>Actinopyga echinites</i> Species of sea cucumber

Actinopyga echinites, commonly known as the brownfish or deep water redfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region and is harvested for food.

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

Holothuria fuscocinerea, the ashy pink sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is placed in the subgenus Stauropora, making its full name Holothuria (Stauropora) fuscocinerea. It is native to shallow water in the tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific.

Holothuria grisea, the gray sea cucumber, is a mid-sized coastal species of sea cucumber found in shallow tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Southern Brazil and West Africa. They have a variety in color and can range from red to more yellowish with brown markings. They are also a food source for local and international markets with the majority of harvesting taking place in Brazil. This species is currently not over-fished and is not endangered or threatened.

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

Holothuria hilla is a species of sea cucumber in the subgenus Mertensiothuria of the genus Holothuria. Some common names include the contractile sea cucumber, the sand sifting sea cucumber and the tigertail sea cucumber, and in Hawaii it is known as the light spotted sea cucumber. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea.

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

Holothuria (Platyperona) difficilis is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. Holothuria comes from Latin but is originally taken from Greek. Its meaning is a plantlike animal whose origin is uncertain.

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

Holothuria stellati, also known as the Brown sea cucumber,is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. First described by Delle Chiaje in 1824. There are two accepted subspecies, Holothuria stellatidakarensis and Holothuria stellati mammata, though there is still debate on whether or not they are separate species.

Holothuria (Cystipus) cubana is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. This species was first described by Ludwig in 1875.

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

Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens, commonly known as the impatient sea cucumber or bottleneck sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria, subgenus Thymiosycia.

References

  1. ↑ Conand, C.; Gamboa, R.; Purcell, S. (2013). "Holothuria atra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T180421A1628832. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180421A1628832.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Paulay, Gustav (2010). "Holothuria (Halodeima) atra Jaeger, 1833". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  3. 1 2 3 Holothuria atra Marine Species Identification Portal. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  4. 1 2 3 Holothuria atra Jaeger, 1833. SeaLifeBase. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Ecological Observations on the Sea Cucumbers Holothuria atra and H. leucospilota at Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  6. ↑ Abdel-Razek, F.A.; et al. (2005). "Reproductive biology of the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria atra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Red Sea coast of Egypt" (PDF). Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. 31 (2): 383–402.
  7. ↑ "Induced spawning and larval rearing of the sea cucumbers, Bohadschia marmorata and Holothuria atra in Mauritius | Request PDF". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  8. ↑ C. Conand, Asexual reproduction by fission in Holothuria atra: variability of some parameters in populations from the tropical Indo-Pacific, Oceanologica acta, 1996, vol. 19, no 3-4, pp. 189-475 (29 ref.), pp. 209-216.
  9. ↑ "Sediment bioturbation and impact of feeding activity of Holothuria (Halodeima) Atra and Stichopus Chloronotus, two sediment feeding Holothurians, at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  10. ↑ The relationship between holothurians and the portulid crab Lissocarcinus orbicularis
  11. ↑ "» Sea Stars, Sea Urchins and Other Echinoderms Of Guam". www.guampedia.com. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  12. ↑ Bordbar, Sara; Anwar, Farooq; Saari, Nazamid (2011-10-10). "High-Value Components and Bioactives from Sea Cucumbers for Functional Foods—A Review". Marine Drugs. 9 (10): 1761–1805. doi: 10.3390/md9101761 . ISSN   1660-3397. PMC   3210605 . PMID   22072996.
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