Species and Size‐Related Trends in Asexual Propagation of Commercially Important Species of Tropical Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea)

Abstract

Abstract.— Juveniles of four species of tropical sea cucumbers of moderate to high commercial value were studied to determine their potential for being propagated asexually by evaluating their survival and regeneration times after being forced to undergo transverse fission. The four species were Holothuria fuscogilva.H. nobilis, Actinopyga mauritiana, and Stichopus variegatus. Rubber bands placed midbody on the sea cucumbers provided an effective yet simple technique to induce fission. Posterior parts of animals had similar or higher survivorship and shorter regeneration times relative to the anterior parts. Combining this information with that collected earlier on adults indicated that smaller animals (both anterior and posterior parts) had higher survivorship (up to 100%) and shorter regeneration times (as fast as 41 d) relative to adult animals of the same species. Using percent weight retained after processing into beche‐de‐mer, a rough measure of body wall thickness, and size of the animal relative to the adult weight, a multiple regression equation was calculated to predict percent survival and regeneration times for both anterior and posterior parts. The equation illustrated that small, thin‐walled species would have the highest survivorship and shortest regeneration times. As the percent weight retained increased, as would be the case with more thick‐walled species, and as the animal approached the adult weight, survivorship declined and the regeneration time increased.