Thelenota rubralineata

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Thelenota rubralineata
Red-lined Sea Cucumber (Thelenota rubralineata) (7963296126).jpg
Thelenota rubralineata
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Synallactida
Family: Stichopodidae
Genus: Thelenota
Species:
T. rubralineata
Binomial name
Thelenota rubralineata
Massin & Lane, 1991

Thelenota rubralineata is a species of sea cucumber in the family Stichopodidae, in the phylum Echinodermata, mainly located in the central Indo-Pacific region. [1] It has a distinctive coloring pattern, and can be found on the seabed near coral. T. rubralineata is part of the Thelenota genus, characterized by their large size and the presence of a calcareous ring. [2]

Contents

Description

Thelenota rubralineata has an elongated, roughly trapezoidal body 30 to 39 cm long and 8 cm wide in its uncontracted state. [3] Like other Thelenota, it has well marked differences between its ventral and dorsal surface, with papillae and pedicels covering its dorsal surface, and numerous podia scattered randomly on its ventral surface. The dorsal protrusions are arranged in two rows of 13 to 15 large, conical arms, many of which ending in spiked papillae. The sides of the body are also covered in a continuous row of multipapillate protrusions, with smaller outgrowths distributed randomly over the body. [3]

The body of T. rubralineata is covered in a complex pattern of red lines on top of a white base. Towards the middle of the body, these lines run parallel and intersect, forming maze-like patterns. The conical protrusions are also covered in this pattern, with papillae ending in white peaks. The podia are pale greenish-yellow, while the tentacles, twenty in number, are red. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Thelenota rubralineata is found on outer coral reef slopes with large rubble and coarse sand patches near islands 20 meters and deeper. This species is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region. [2] [1]

Biology

Like other Thelenota,T. rubralineata contains calcareous spicules in the form of granules and branched rods. Located throughout the body wall, these structures serve as both structural support and defense from predators. Two Polian vesicles provide the basis for locomotion. 5 longitudinal muscles are broad, V-shaped, and attached to the body wall. A short digestive tract, two narrow respiratory trees, and a small circulatory system running parallel to the intestines is also present.

When in motion, the lateral protuberances play a role in walking. When disturbed, T. rubralineata bends its body in a helical fashion, arranging its mouth close to the anus, and assumes this position for up to 10 minutes or longer, then moves again. [3]

Lifespan for this species is currently unknown. However, like other echinoderms, T. rubralineata is suspected to regenerate. As a result, lifespan cannot be estimated, but is assumed to be greater than multiple decades in their natural environment. [1] [3]

Commercial uses

Thelenota rubralineata and other species of echinoderms are commonly harvested in the Western Central Pacific region. Thelenota is often harvested in many regions of Micronesia, Polynesia, Melanesia, Australia, and New Zealand. When observed by divers, T. rubralineata was widespread but rarely found in large densities. Although T. rubralineata is not one of the most economically profitable species for fisheries, this species may become more prone to over-fishing due to a reduction in more commonly used species of echinoderms. [4]

Related Research Articles

Echinoderm Exclusively marine phylum of animals with generally 5-point radial symmetry

An echinoderm is any member of the phylum Echinodermata of marine animals. The adults are recognizable by their radial symmetry, and include starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers, as well as the sea lilies or "stone lilies". Echinoderms are found at every ocean depth, from the intertidal zone to the abyssal zone. The phylum contains about 7000 living species, making it the second-largest grouping of deuterostomes, after the chordates. Echinoderms are also the largest phylum that has no freshwater or terrestrial (land-based) representatives.

Sea cucumber 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. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. The number of holothurian species worldwide is about 1,717 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 degradation process.

<i>Protoreaster nodosus</i>

Protoreaster nodosus, commonly known as the horned sea star or chocolate chip sea star, is a species of sea star found in the warm, shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region. They are sometimes seen in the marine aquarium trade.

<i>Isostichopus badionotus</i>

Isostichopus badionotus, also known as the chocolate chip cucumber or the cookie dough sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Stichopodidae. This common species is found in warm parts of the Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Stichopus chloronotus</i>

Stichopus chloronotus is a species of sea cucumber. Common names include the greenfish sea cucumber, the spiky sea cucumber and the black knobby sea cucumber. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region. It has a wide range and is abundant and the IUCN lists it as being of "Least Concern".

<i>Synaptula lamperti</i> Species of echinoderm

Synaptula lamperti is a species of sea cucumber in the family Synaptidae in the phylum Echinodermata, found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. The echinoderms are marine invertebrates and include the sea urchins, starfish and sea cucumbers. They are radially symmetric and have a water vascular system that operates by hydrostatic pressure, enabling them to move around by use of many suckers known as tube feet. Sea cucumbers are usually leathery, gherkin-shaped animals with a cluster of short tentacles at one end. They live on the sea bottom.

<i>Holothuria scabra</i>

Holothuria scabra, or the 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>Bohadschia marmorata</i>

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

<i>Holothuria leucospilota</i>

Holothuria leucospilota, commonly known as the black sea cucumber/ Black tarzan, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Holothuriidae. It has been 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>Actinopyga echinites</i>

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>Stichopus herrmanni</i>

Stichopus herrmanni, or Herrmann's sea cucumber, is a species of holothuroidean echinoderm in the family Stichopodidae. It is found in the tropical, western Indo-Pacific Ocean, at depths down to 20 m (66 ft). This and several other species are known as curryfish and are harvested commercially; it is called gama in Indonesia.

<i>Actinopyga caerulea</i>

Actinopyga caerulea, the blue sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is native to the tropical West Indo-Pacific region and is harvested for food.

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

Actinopyga miliaris, commonly known as the hairy blackfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is native to the tropical West Indo-Pacific region and is harvested for food.

<i>Cucumaria vegae</i>

Cucumaria vegae, also known as tiny black sea cucumber or northern tar spot, is a species of sea cucumber. It was first described to science by Johan Hjalmar Théel in 1886 reporting on the sea cucumber specimens brought back by the Challenger expedition. Among these was the type specimen for this species, which was collected at Bering Island.

<i>Actinopyga capillata</i>

Actinopyga capillata, the hairy sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is found in the tropical West Indo-Pacific region, having a disjunct range, with the main population in island groups in the western Indian Ocean, and a separate population in the Philippines.

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>Thelenota anax</i>

Thelenota anax is a species of sea cucumber mostly found in the tropical, South Pacific Ocean. It is also commonly known as the amber fish. Some other names for T. anax are black teatfish, blackfish, brownfish, chief sea cucumber, curryfish, elephant trunk cucumber, lollyfish, tripang, and white-teat sea cucumber. T. anax is found on sandy ocean bottoms and often have ectocommensal relationships. They are commonly fished commercially and exported because of their medicinal properties and large size.

<i>Holothuria fuscogilva</i>

Holothuria (Microthele) fuscogilva, also known as the white teatfish or white teeth, is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria, subgenus Microthele. The cucumber is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean. The species is vulnerable to over-exploitation from commercial fishing. It was first formally named by Gustave Cherbonnier in 1980.

<i>Holothuria hilla</i>

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.

Psychropotidae

Psychropotidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. The geographic range of some psychropotids is very extensive at abyssal depths, whereas other species are found within more restricted ranges.

References

  1. 1 2 3 IUCN (2010). "Thelenota rubralineata: Conand, C., Gamboa, R. & Purcell, S.". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2013-1.rlts.t180285a1610697.en.
  2. 1 2 Lyman, Hubert (1921). The echinoderm fauna of the Torres Strait: Its composition and its origin. Washington, D.C: Carnegie Institution of Washington. pp. 185–187.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Massin, Claude; Lane, David (1991). "Description of a new species of sea cucumber (Stichopodidae, Holothuroidea, Echinodermata) from the Eastern Indo-Malayan Archipelago: Thelenota rubralineata n. sp. Micronesica". Mirconessica. 24: 57–64.
  4. ↑ Kinch, Jeff & Purcell, Steven & Uthicke, Sven & Friedman, Kim. (2008). Population status, fisheries and trade of sea cucumbers in the Western Central Pacific. Sea cucumbers. A global review of fisheries and trade, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture technical paper. 516. 7–55.
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