Abstract
The adult life stage of many species of sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) can be rather conspicuous on the seafloor. On the other hand, juvenile sea cucumbers are rarely observed in nature, largely owing to their small size and affinity with cryptic habitats. The juvenile life stage represents an important knowledge gap in the supply side ecology of holothuroid species, including data on habitat preferences, nursery grounds, growth rates, and age-size estimates, potentially limiting the success of conservation strategies. This chapter reviews available information on the biology and ecology of sea cucumber juveniles from coral reefs to temperate, polar, and deep-sea habitats. We characterize the juvenile life stage associated with the diverse reproductive strategies of holothuroids and synthesize records of juveniles from the wild to assess the ecological parameters that shape holothuroid ontogeny.
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