Sea Cucumber Holothuria Scabra Research Articles

Heavy metal accumulation in tissues of two sea cucumbers, Holothuria leucospilota and Holothuria scabra in the northern part of Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf

The concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn andPb) were investigated in the sediments and the two species of sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota and Holothuria scabra) from northern part of Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf. The levels of Cu, Zn and Pb in sediment varied significantly among sampling sites (p<0.05). The highest levels of Zn and Pb in H. leucospilota were recorded in body wall whereas the highest contents of Zn and Pb in H. scabra were measured in respiratory tree organ, respectively. Cu and Cd were the most abundant elements in gonads of H. leucospilota while highest levels of Cd and Cu in H. scabra were measured in the gonad and derm, respectively. Cu and Zn concentrations were below permissible limits for human consumption while Cd and Pb were above permissible limits for human consumption.

The Reproductive Cycle of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra around Shioya Fishing Port, Okinawa Prefecture

The Reproductive Cycle of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra around Shioya Fishing Port, Okinawa Prefecture

English

Neuropeptides are key mediators of physiological processes in animals and a considerable amount of information has been accumulated on their diversity and functions across phyla. However, progress in echinoderm neurobiology has been much slower than others. The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra is an economically important tropical echinoderm species in which a neuropeptide is yet to be identified. This immunohistochemical study utilized antibody raised against GFSKLYFamide neuropeptide together with confocal laser scanning microscopy. GFSKLYFamide-like immunoreactivity was shown to be localized in the stomach and small intestines of H. scabra. This is the first report that provides evidence for the presence of GFSKLYFamide neuropeptide in the digestive tract of this species. &nbsp; Key words: GFSKLYFamide, SALMFamides, immunohistochemistry, sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra.

The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra is an endangered species. In this study, nine new polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and tested in 30 individuals. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 5, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.1200 to 0.7391 and from 0.2408 to 0.5983, respectively. No loci significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium af-ter a Bonferroni correction, and no significant linkage disequilibrium was found between pairs of loci. These polymorphic microsatellite loci will be useful in studying the genetic diversity of H. scabra and its conservation.

PERILAKU PEMIJAHAN TERIPANG PASIR (HOLOTHURIA SCABRA) BERDASARKAN FAKTOR LINGKUNGAN (SUHU) DI DESA OHOI LETMAN KECAMATAN KEI KECIL KABUPATEN MALUKU TENGGARA

Background: Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra) is one of the export commodities from fisheries sector which has decreased production and resource conservation. Spawning sea cucumbers as a first step in the provision of seeds on the cultivation that has been successfully done naturally, but the frequency of spawning is still very low.&#x0D; Method: Treatment of mother of sea cucumber which is selected and taken as sample which is 8 tail and have always active behavior. Mother of sea cucumber then selected by length and weight of sea cucumber.&#x0D; Result: Spawning behavior displayed by sea cucumbers during spawning based on environmental factors (temperature) by raising the temperature (boiling) seawater or temperature shock. So at an initial temperature of 27 ° C the behavior of sea cucumbers looks very active. Then with an interval of ± 30 minutes the temperature increased to 28 ° C, seen the behavior shown that the sea cucumbers do the process of elongation of the body, so that the sea cucumber looks different from before&#x0D; Conclusion: Male breeding spawning on the back of the body (posterior), the mother cucumber raises the height of the head or the front of the body (anterior) which visible a bulge that then removes the sperm that looks like white smoke in the water. With an interval of 10 minutes a female parent appeared to be in the same temperature and the same breeding method the mature female was removing the egg.

Evaluation of antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic effects of Holothuria scabra from the North Coast of the Persian Gulf

Bioactive compounds of the gonad, respiration tree, and body wall of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra collected from the North Coast of the Persian Gulf were extracted using ethyl acetate, methanol and water-methanol mixtures. Extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The activity was determined using the disc diffusion test. Cytotoxic activities of the extracts were determined by brine shrimp lethality assay. Results showed the existence of an antifungal activity of all extracts against A.niger with MIC ranging from 3 to 9μg/mL. The highest antifungal activity was found in respiration tree (methanol) with an inhibition zone of about 50mm against A.niger at 18μg/mL extract concentration. Cytotoxic activity was obtained for methanolic extracts only. Methanol extract of the gonads showed the highest cytotoxic effect (LC50=50.5μg/mL) continuing with RT methanol extract (LC50=70μg/mL).

Presence and distribution of FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833)

Since the discovery of FMRFamide, a cardioactive neuropeptide in the mollusk Macrocallista nimbosa (Lightfoot, 1786) by Price and Greenberg (Science 197:670–671, 1977), there has been a steady increase in our understanding of the distribution and diversity of FMRFamide and FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) across phyla. The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) is a high-premium tropical economic species that is overexploited globally and may be in imminent danger of extinction in some areas. Conservation of this species and its amenability to culture is however hampered by the limited knowledge about its biology, including the neurohormonal system. Using indirect immunofluorescence technique with antisera raised against the tetrapeptide FMRFamide as well as reverse-phase HPLC, we have demonstrated the widespread distribution of FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in the tissues of H. scabra, including the coelomic fluid, suggesting that FaRPs might have neurohormonal activities in this species.

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY TEST SEA CUCUMBER EXTRACT (Holothuria scabra) SIDAYU COAST GRESIK USING DISK DIFFUSION METHOD

&lt;p&gt;Sea cucumber (&lt;em&gt;Holothuria scabra&lt;/em&gt;) is one kind of sea cucumbers that contains of bioactive compound that can inhibit bacteria growth. This research aim to know the effect of methanol and &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-hexane extract towards bacterium &lt;em&gt;Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi &lt;/em&gt;and&lt;em&gt; Escherichia coli&lt;/em&gt; bacterial growth and to identification estimation active compound group.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sea cucumbers active compound extraction using maceration method with methanol and &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-hexane as a solvent. Methanol and &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-hexane crude extract conducted antibacterial assay using disk diffusion method towards bacterium &lt;em&gt;Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli&lt;/em&gt; and continued with reagent test to knowing active compound group.&lt;/p&gt;The result of this research indicated that &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-hexane extracts provide the best inhibition zone toward bacterium &lt;em&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/em&gt; at concentration 2000 ppm with among of inhibition zone 1,75 mm, while at bacterium &lt;em&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Salmonella typhi&lt;/em&gt; does not provide inhibition zone. Methanol extract does not provide inhibition zone towards bacterium &lt;em&gt;Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/em&gt;. The result of reagent test indicated compound that detected in &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-hexane extract is saponins

Role of sand as substrate and dietary component for juvenile sea cucumber Holothuria scabra

The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra, or sandfish, is a commercially valuable aquaculture species; however viable intensive tank-based aquaculture techniques have not yet been developed. This study aimed to assess the role of sand as a substrate and/or dietary component in the intensive tank culture of sandfish in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in South Africa. A control experiment was conducted to confirm the reported positive effect of sand as a substrate on sandfish growth and a sand-in-diet experiment was conducted to determine if the incorporation of sand into formulated diets could improve sandfish growth in bare tanks. In the control experiment, the mean growth rate of juvenile sandfish in the bare tanks was significantly lower than that of the juveniles reared in tanks with a sand substrate (−0.12±0.16gday−1 SE and 0.03±0.01gday−1 respectively; F(1,2)=1.91, p<0.001). However in the sand-in-diet experiment, the mean growth rate of juvenile sandfish in bare tanks, fed a formulated diet containing 20% sand was not significantly different to juveniles fed a standard formulated diet (−0.13±0.01 and −0.12±0.16gday−1 respectively; F(1,2)=1.26, p>0.05). Results confirmed the reported positive effect on sandfish growth when sand is provided as a substrate, however sand in diets did not promote growth in the same way, indicating that the inclusion of sand in formulated diets is unlikely to compensate for the lack of sand as a substrate. Future research should therefore aim to identify the optimum parameters of sand substrate and develop tank holding systems capable of maintaining favourable substrate conditions for intensive sandfish culture.

Triterpene Glycosides from Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra with Cytotoxic Activity

ObjectiveTo study the new triterpene glycosides from sea cucumber Holothuria scabra with cytotoxic activity. MethodsTriterpene glycosides from H. scabra were separated and purified by chromatography on DA-101, silica gel, and reversed-phase silica gel column, as well as RP-HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidence. ResultsThree triterpene glycosides were identified as scabraside D (1), fuscocineroside C (2), and 24-dehydroechinoside A (3). Their inhibition on P-388, A549, MKN-28, HCT116, and MCF-7 cells were significant. ConclusionScabraside D (1) is a new triterpene glycoside, and compounds 2 and 3 are isolated from H. scabra for the first time. The glycosides 1–3 show the in vitro cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines in comparison to 10-hydroxycamptothecin.

Fatty acid composition in two sea cucumber species, Holothuria scabra and Holothuria leucospilata from Qeshm Island (Persian Gulf)

This study was carried out to extract total lipid of two local sea cucumber species, Holothuria scabra and Holothuria leucospilata from Qeshm Island, and the fatty acid composition was determined by capillary gas chromatography. The results show that all species were rich in palmitic acid (C16:0) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) of saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), respectively. However, the main monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in H. scabra and H. leucospilota were gadoleic acid (C20:1) and cis-oleic acid (C18:1n9c), respectively. The results of this study showed the high content of fatty acids, specially (ω-3) series in H. scabra and H. leucospilata.

The Effect of Food Quality and Rearing Density on the Growth and Survival of Epibenthic Juveniles of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra

Abstract—Seven combinations of aquatic plant extracts were tested to feed juveniles of H. scabra: Thalassia hemprichii, T. hemprichii with 3 % Spirulina, Sargassum latifolium, S. latifolium with 3 % Spirulina, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Syringodium isoetifolium and organic biofilm. A control test consisted in rearing epibenthic juveniles in tank without any food supply. The results showed that extracts of S. latifolium with or without Spirulina gave the best growth and high survival rates: the mean epibenthic volumes were 112 +/- 55 mm³ and 81 +/- 21 mm3 and the survival rates were 60 and 68 % respectively at the end of the experiment (8 weeks). Rearing densities of 150, 300, 450 and 600 individuals m m-2 were tested. The best survival rates (greater than 60 %) were observed in the batches with an initial density of 450 individuals m m-2 or less. The best growth rate was observed with an initial rearing density of 150 individuals m-². The study of biomass showed that the optimum level for the rearing density is 450 +/- 150 juveniles m m-2 . When the parameters of survival, growth rate and biomass (expressed in volume) are all taken into consideration, the optimum rearing density suggested for epibenthic juveniles of H. scabra is between 300 and 450 individuals m-2 . Keywords: Holothuria scabra, epibenthic juveniles, rearing, survival, growth

Diel burying by the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria scabra: effects of environmental stimuli, handling and ontogeny

Understanding concealment behaviour of marine animals is vital for population surveys and captive-release programmes. The commercially valuable sea cucumber Holothuria scabra Jaeger 1833 (Holothuroidea) can display a diel burying cycle, but is it widely predictable? Circadian burying of captive H. scabra juveniles, and both juveniles and adults in the wild, was examined in New Caledonia. Groups of ten cultured juveniles in mesh chambers in a tank were monitored for 24 h. Small juveniles (1–5 g) displayed an expected diel cycle of epibenthic foraging in the afternoon and night then burial in sediments in the morning. Burial was related significantly to both light and temperature in combination. Similar groups of juveniles were handled once or three times a day for 1 week then frequency of emergence during another week was compared to unhandled controls. Handling stress, whether occasional or frequent, significantly suppressed the frequency of their afternoon emergence from sediments for 4 days. In a coastal seagrass bed, burial and emergence of H. scabra were monitored during days of opposing tidal cycles in three seasons. Adults seldom buried during the day except in the cool season. At that site, most small hatchery-produced H. scabra juveniles were buried during most of the day, while larger juveniles showed little diurnal burying. This study underscores that the circadian behaviours of marine animals can exhibit substantial spatial variation, may be absent at certain sites or seasons, and can be mediated by a complexity of factors that vary over short timescales.

Two New Cytotoxic Triterpene Glycosides from the Sea CucumberHolothuria scabra

Two new triterpene glycosides, scabraside A (1) and B (2), and a structurally known compound (3), were isolated from the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Holothuriidae) collected from the South China Sea. Structure of these compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The glycosides 1 and 2 exhibit the same common structural features, i. e., the presence of 12- and 17-hydroxy groups in the holostane-type triterpene aglycone with a 9(11)-ene bond, but are different in the side chains of the triterpene aglycone. The glycosides 1 and 2 had significant in vitro cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines in comparison to 10-hydroxycamptothecin.

The timing and reproductive output of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria scabra on the Kenyan coast

The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra is a widely distributed and economically important species that has been harvested in Kenya for decades. No previous studies have been carried out on the reproduction of this species in Kenya. Standard gonad index methods were used to analyze reproductive patterns of individuals collected monthly in 1998–1999, 2000–2001 and 2006–2007. Morphological characteristics, gonad tubule lengths and fecundity were also measured. Mean monthly gonad indices were significantly correlated between males and females indicating synchronous gonad development between the sexes. Gonad indices showed a biannual pattern that was consistent in all three years with a minor spawning event occurring between August and September and a major spawning event between November and December. The pattern of gonad growth showed significant variability between years and between months. Temporal changes in gonad growth correlated significantly with gonad tubule length and absolute fecundity. Monthly gonad indices also correlated significantly with monthly measurements of air temperature and light suggesting a possible role for both factors in timing gametogenesis and spawning. There was a shift in sex ratio from unity in the 1998–1999 and 2000–2001 samples to significantly more males in the 2006–2007 samples, as well as a significant reduction in mean sizes (body wall weight) and reproductive output (gonad index) which suggests that the reproductive success of this species is potentially negatively affected by fishing.

A New Triterpene Glycoside from the Sea Cucumber &lt;i&gt;Holothuria Scabra&lt;/i&gt; Collected in Vietnam

Bioassay guided fractionation led to the isolation of a new triterpene glycoside, holothurinogenin B (1) along with three known compounds, holothurin B (2), holothurin A (3), and holothurin A2 (4), from the methanol extract of the Vietnamese sea cucumber Holothuria scabra. Their structures were deduced from the spectral analysis (1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, MS) and chemical evidences.

T-antigen binding lectin with antibacterial activity from marine invertebrate, sea cucumber ( Holothuria scabra): Possible involvement in differential recognition of bacteria

In invertebrates, cellular and humoral components are evolved to maintain their body immunity and integrity. Both these factors respond to different antigens such as microorganisms, vertebrate erythrocytes and foreign proteins. In this article, we report a study of a lectin (HSL) involved in immune response in the echinoderm, sea cucumber ( Holothuria scabra). Correlative studies indicate that the expression of this defensive lectin is induced by bacterial challenge, wherein cell wall glycoconjugates of bacteria are involved in lectin induction. HSL showed strong broad spectrum antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Under in vitro conditions, purified HSL mediate agglutination of the test bacteria, there by indicating a possible mode of action in physiological situation.

Purification and characterization of a T-antigen specific lectin from the coelomic fluid of a marine invertebrate, sea cucumber ( Holothuria scabra)

A novel lectin was purified from the coelomic fluid of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (HSL), subjected to bacterial challenge. HSL is a monomeric glycoprotein of molecular mass 182 kDa. The lectin is highly thermostable as it retains full activity for 1 h at 80 °C. Further, the hemagglutination activity of HSL is unaffected by pH in the range 2–11. Unlike other lectins purified from marine invertebrates, the hemagglutination activity of HSL does not require any divalent metal ions. The affinity profile of HSL was studied by a combination of hemagglutination inhibition and fluorescence spectroscopy. HSL binds to desialylated glycoproteins, MeαGal, T-antigen and T (α-ser)-antigen with a distinction between β1–4 and β1–3 linkages. Meα-T-antigen was a potent ligand having highest affinity ( K a 8.32 × 10 7 M −1). Monosaccharide binding is enthalphically driven while disaccharide binding involves both entropic and enthalpic contributions.

Restocking the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra: Sizing no-take zones through individual-based movement modelling

The valuable sea cucumber Holothuria scabra, known as ‘sandfish’, has potential for restocking. However, there is little information available to determine the size of the no-take zones (NTZs) needed to protect the released animals so that they can form nucleus breeding populations. To do this, we measured short-term movement paths of released juvenile (1–105 g) and wild adult (130–690 g) sandfish in a seagrass bed in New Caledonia. We then developed an individual-based model (IBM) to predict long-term dispersal of sandfish released as juveniles (1–16 g) at 1 individual m −2 within a 1-ha area, drawing on distributions of speed and directionality and the relationship between speed and animal weight from field data. Movement was non-random at the sampling scale used, since animals tended to turn <90° at each 2-h time step. We examined high- and low-growth scenarios by applying 50% and 25% of the modelled growth rates of sandfish held in earthen ponds (where they are known to grow faster). The dispersal of released sandfish was predicted to be limited in the first 2 years, then markedly faster thereafter. After 10 years, 6–12% of surviving animals were predicted to remain in the original 1-ha release site. To protect surviving sandfish as nucleus breeding populations for 10 years, and accepting 10% spillover, square NTZs would need to be 19–40 ha. The findings are useful for the management of restocking and pre-defining the size of sites for recapture surveys. Our model allows user-specified values for future releases and should be applicable for other sedentary marine invertebrates where basic data on movement and growth are available.

Efficacy of chemical markers and physical tags for large-scale release of an exploited holothurian

Hatchery-produced juveniles need to be distinguished from wild conspecifics in order to evaluate the success of restocking experiments and stock enhancement. The commercially valuable sea cucumber Holothuria scabra, or ‘sandfish’, has potential for stock enhancement but cheap, long-lasting tags have not yet been developed. We evaluated five non-genetic tags against several criteria: cost, ease of application, retention rate, and ease of detection. In a 1-month trial, T-bar tags and visible elastomer implants proved unsuitable on hatchery-produced sandfish juveniles. Coded-wire tags and two fluorochromes, tetracycline and calcein, showed more promise, so retention rates of these tags were tested on juveniles held in an earthen seawater pond for 1 year. Sixty percent of juveniles retained at least one of two coded-wire tags for 1 year. Under UV illumination, spicules from the body wall of sandfish immersed in solutions of tetracycline are yellow, whereas calcein-stained spicules are green. From months 1 to 12 after immersion, the average percentage of stained spicules declined from 40% to 8% with tetracycline and 54% to 5% with calcein. After 1 year stained spicules were detected in all immersed animals, i.e. mark retention was 100%. Stained spicules from the ventral body wall of juveniles were generally in greater proportions, and fluoresced brighter, than those from the dorsal body wall. Spicule density exceeded 7000 spicules per mm 2 of body wall in juveniles of 2–13 g, and decreased with sandfish weight. Fluorescence provides a simple diagnostic tool for identifying marked individuals and the sampling is non-destructive. Several mm 2 of outer body wall is ample for tag identification. Immersion-staining with fluorochromes is preferred to coded-wire tags and provided a cheap and reliable batch-mark for distinguishing released and wild sandfish.