Holothuria tubulosa

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Holothuria tubulosa
Holothuria tubulosa Banyuls.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. tubulosa
Binomial name
Holothuria tubulosa
Gmelin, 1791 [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • H. cavolini delle Chiaje, 1824
  • H. columnae delle Chiaje, 1823, non Cuvier, 1817
  • H. columnae Cuvier, 1817
  • H. columnae de Blainville, 1821
  • H. maxima delle Chiaje, 1823
  • H. petagnae delle Chiaje, 1824
  • H. tremula Linnaeus, 1767

Holothuria tubulosa, the cotton-spinner or tubular sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is the type species of the genus Holothuria and is placed in the subgenus Holothuria, making its full name Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa. [2]

Contents

Description

Holothuria tubulosa grows to a length of between 20 centimetres (7.9 in) and 45 centimetres (18 in), and a diameter of 6 centimetres (2.4 in). It is roughly cylindrical with a flattened base on which there are three longitudinal rows of tube feet. It has a tough, leathery skin. The general colour is a shade of brown and the surface is covered with numerous dark-coloured, conical, thorn-like projections known as papillae. It often appears greyish, as it secretes a protective film of mucus to which bits of seaweed and sediment may adhere. It has a fringe of short, flattened tentacles around the mouth at the anterior end and an anus at the posterior end. [3] [4]

Distribution and habitat

Holothuria tubulosa is found in temperate regions of the eastern Atlantic Ocean as far north as the Bay of Biscay and in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is abundant. It is found on sandy seabeds, among seagrass ( Posidonia spp.) and on muddy rocks to a depth of about 100 metres (330 ft). [2] [3]

Biology

Male Holothuria tubulosa releasing sperm Holothuria tubulosa Gmelin, 1790.jpg
Male Holothuria tubulosa releasing sperm

Holothuria tubulosa feeds on detritus, algae and plankton. [5] It uses its tube feet to move across the surface or adhere to rocks. [3]

Holothuria tubulosa is dioecious, with each individual being either male or female but with no difference between them in external appearance. In a study in the Mediterranean Sea, a mass spawning event was observed in the afternoons of the two days in August 2003 that coincided with the full moon. Large numbers of mature individuals simultaneously adopted the spawning position, rearing their anterior ends up and leaving only the hind third of their body in contact with the seabed. This raises their genital orifices, situated just below the mouth, clear of the substrate to allow for maximum dispersal of the gametes. First, some individuals, believed to be males, emitted a whitish fluid which gradually dispersed in the surrounding water. Next, a smaller number of individuals, believed to be female, emitted a more viscous fluid, perhaps in response to the release of the male gametes. Each release lasted about 30 minutes. The necessary conditions for spawning seemed to be a full moon and a sea temperature of about 25 °C (77 °F). [4]

The fertilised eggs hatch in about 24 hours and the developing larvae are planktonic. They feed on microscopic algae and pass through several stages over the course of a few weeks before settling on the seabed and undergoing metamorphosis into juveniles. [6]

Along with Parastichopus regalis , Holothuria tubulosa is the preferred host of Carapus acus , which shares a commensal association with the sea cucumber. [7]

Uses

Sea cucumbers are used for food in some countries, particularly Taiwan, China, Singapore and Korea. There is a commercial fishery in Turkey and a closed season is imposed in August and September to allow the animals to spawn. Holothuria tubulosa is one of the species collected by divers, who can gather 2000 to 3000 in a day. The sea cucumbers are either sun dried, oven dried, or frozen before being exported. [8] Sea cucumbers have high amounts of health benefits to humans, they provide high amounts of protein and fatty acids. They are mostly harvested in Southeast Asian countries where in the 1980s they became a popular resource to use in nutritional, biological, and pharmaceutical products. Holothuria tubulosa has been investigated as a new source for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and the production of bioactive peptides. [9]

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea cucumbers as food</span> Marine foodstuff

Sea cucumbers are marine animals of the class Holothuroidea. They can be used as food, in fresh or dried form, in various cuisines. In some cultural contexts the sea cucumber is thought to have medicinal value.

<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>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.

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

Sea cucumber stocks have been overexploited in the wild, resulting in incentives to grow them by aquaculture. Aquaculture means the sea cucumbers are farmed in contained areas where they can be cultured in a controlled manner. In China, sea cucumbers are cultured, along with prawns and some fish species, in integrated multi-trophic systems. In these systems, the sea cucumbers feed on the waste and feces from the other species. In this manner, what would otherwise be polluting byproducts from the culture of the other species become a valuable resource that is turned into a marketable product.

<i>Bohadschia marmorata</i> Species of sea cucumber

Bohadschia marmorata, commonly known as the brown sandfish or chalky cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It lives on the seabed in shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

Holothuria spinifera, the brown sandfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is placed in the subgenus Theelothuria, making its full name Holothuria (Theelothuria) spinifera. In India it is known as cheena attai or raja attai. It lives in tropical regions of the west Indo-Pacific Ocean at depths ranging from 32 to 60 metres. It is fished commercially to produce beche-de-mer.

<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>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 arguinensis</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria arguinensis is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae and subgenus Roweothuria. It is found in waters off the northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. According to some scholarly research, the species is actively expanding its range and colonizing the south-eastern coast of Spain.

<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.

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

Holothuria (Roweothuria) poli, also known as the white spot cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuridae and the subgenus Roweothuria. The species was first described by the Italian doctor and naturalist Stefano delle Chiaje in 1824. The species' range has been documented as being in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and the Bay of Biscay.

<i>Carapus acus</i> Species of bony fish

Carapus acus is a species of bony fish in the family Carapidae, the pearlfishes, and is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It lives as a commensal in association with a sea cucumber, spending the day inside its host and emerging at night to feed.

<i>Parastichopus regalis</i> Species of sea cucumber

Parastichopus regalis, also known as the royal sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Stichopodidae.

References

  1. ↑ Samyn, Y. (2013). "Holothuria tubulosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T180455A1632895. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180455A1632895.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Paulay, Gustav (2010). "Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa Gmelin, 1791". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  3. 1 2 3 Holothuria tubulosa EuropeanMarineLife. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  4. 1 2 Ocana, A. & L. Sanchez Tocino (2005). "Spawning of Holothuria tubulosa (Holothurioidea, Echinodermata) in the Alboran Sea (Mediterranean Sea)" (PDF). Zoologica Baetica. 16: 147–150.
  5. ↑ "Sea cucumber". Archived from the original on 2011-12-11. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  6. ↑ Sea cucumber culture Brief introduction to mariculture of five selected species in China. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  7. ↑ González-Wangüemert, Mercedes & Maggi, Camilla & VAlente, Sara & Martínez-Garrido, Jose & Rodrigues, Nuno. (2014). Parastichopus regalis — The main host of Carapus acus in temperate waters of the Mediterranean Sea and northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Beche de Mer. 34. 38.
  8. ↑ The commercial sea cucumber fishery in Turkey Beche-de-Mer Information Bulletin. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  9. ↑ Mecheta, A.; Hanachi, A.; Jeandel, C.; Arab-Tehrany, E.; Bianchi, A.; Velot, E.; Mezali, K.; Linder, M. (2020). "Physicochemical Properties and Liposomal Formulations of Hydrolysate Fractions of Four Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) from the Northwestern Algerian Coast". Molecules. 25 (13): 2972. doi: 10.3390/molecules25132972 . PMC   7412306 . PMID   32605291.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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