Holothuria whitmaei

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Holothuria whitmaei
Holothuria whitmaei (19260385).jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Holothuriida
Family: Holothuriidae
Genus: Holothuria
Species:
H. whitmaei
Binomial name
Holothuria whitmaei
Bell, 1887
Synonyms
  • Holothuria mammiferaSaville-Kent, 1890
  • Mülleria maculata(Brandt)

Holothuria (Microthele) whitmaei, commonly known as the black teatfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. The sea cucumber is distributed in the western Indian and Pacific oceans, with specimens being found off of Tanzania, [2] New Caledonia and the Philippines. [3] They are usually found in groups of 5-25 individuals. [4]

Contents

Description

H. whitmaei is now classified as a separate species from H. nobilis . H. whitmaei used to be included in H.nobilis. [5]

Seasonal trends from two populations of H. whitmaei were investigated, between the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef. The gonad index was found to peak between April and June. Macroscopic and histological analysis revealed “that large germinal tubules, positioned centrally on the gonad basis, progressed through four maturity stages: growing (II); mature (III); partly spawned (IV); and spent (V)”. [6]

In one study in 2003, they were unsure why “up to 23% of H. whitmaei specimens were hidden from some time during the night until midday". [5] Although in another study to obtain ecological data on H. whitmaei, “rates of activity in marked specimens increased significantly in the initial hours after marking”. [7] This suggests that marking the specimens likely compromises the research.

“Diurnal studies of 30 black teat fish on the Ningaloo Reef...found that the proportion of animals sheltered (and therefore hidden when viewed from directly above) was significantly greater in the morning...relative to the afternoon”. [5] A different study found that (on marked and unmarked specimens) they were most active between the hours of 2:30-5:30pm. [7]

Use and conservation

Many sea cucumbers are processed, dried, and boiled to become beche-de-mar. It is a very important and profitable commodity in many Pacific countries and communities, particularly in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Australia, and the Fiji Islands. H.whitmaei are "among the highest value species and well-dried ‘A’ grade product may command a price of $US 70–190 per kg depending on size and quality". [8] Although a moratorium due to overproduction has prevented supply from Papua New Guinea since 2009. [8] Fiji on the other hand exports 243 tons of sea cucumber food per year.

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. Sea cucumbers 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> Used in fresh or dried form in various cuisines

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.

Evisceration is a method of autotomy involving the ejection of internal organs used by animals as a defensive strategy. Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) eject parts of the gut in order to scare and defend against potential predators such as crabs and fish. The organs are regenerated in a few days by cells in the interior of the sea cucumber.

<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>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 tubulosa</i> Species of sea cucumber

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.

<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>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.

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 nobilis</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis, the black teatfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria. The cucumber is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-pacific ocean. It was first described by Emil Selenka in 1867.

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

Actinopyga varians, the Pacific white-spotted sea cucumber or Hawaiian sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is found in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and also in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

<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 pervicax</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria pervicax is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria. It is commonly called the stubborn sea cucumber due to its inability to be kept alive in captivity. It is commonly found buried beneath rocks on reefs in warm waters.

<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.

References

  1. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  2. ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Holothuria (Microthele) whitmaei Bell, 1887". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  3. ↑ "Holothuria whitmaei, teatfish : fisheries". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  4. ↑ Shiell, Glenn R.; Knott, Brenton (2010). "Aggregations and temporal changes in the activity and bioturbation contribution of the sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 415: 127–139. doi: 10.3354/meps08685 . ISSN   0171-8630. JSTOR   24875233.
  5. 1 2 3 Shiell, Glenn R.; Knott, Brenton (2008-05-01). "Diurnal observations of sheltering behaviour in the coral reef sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei". Fisheries Research. 91 (1): 112–117. doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2007.12.010. ISSN   0165-7836.
  6. ↑ Shiell, Glenn R.; Uthicke, Sven (2006-03-01). "Reproduction of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei [Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida] in the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions of Australia". Marine Biology. 148 (5): 973–986. doi:10.1007/s00227-005-0113-3. ISSN   1432-1793. S2CID   85265457.
  7. 1 2 Shiell, Glenn (22 August 2006). "Effect of invasive tagging on the activity of Holothuria whitmaei [Echinodermata: Holothuroidea]: A suitable mark-recapture method for short-term field studies of holothurian behaviour". Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology. 39 (2): 153–162. doi:10.1080/10236240600688789. S2CID   84701641 . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  8. 1 2 Ram, Ravinesh; Chand, Roveena Vandana; Zeng, Chaoshu; Southgate, Paul C. (2016-11-01). "Recovery rates for eight commercial sea cucumber species from the Fiji Islands". Regional Studies in Marine Science. 8: 59–64. doi: 10.1016/j.rsma.2016.09.003 . ISSN   2352-4855.
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