Holothuroids
Reproduction is maybe the most studied trait of sea cucumbers in Mexico, especially for commercial species (Isostichopus fuscus and Parastichopus parvimensis)
(Herrero-Perezrul 1994, 2004; Fajardo-León et al. 1995; Tapia-Vasquez et al.
1996; Herrero-Perezrul et al. 1999). However, some other sea cucumbers (Holothuria pluricuriosa and H. lubrica) have been studied (Herrero-Perezrul 1994;
Skarbnik-Lopez 2006; Skarbnik-Lopez et al. 2010).
Tapia-Vasquez et al. (1996) analyzed the gonadal cycle of P. parvimensis at the
west coast of Baja California. They showed that the gonad develops during spring
and spawning occurs during summer (July and August). They estimated first
maturity at lengths between 25 and 29 cm. The reproduction in this species was
similar at Isla Natividad and Bahia Tortugas, Baja California Sur (Fajardo-Leon
et al. 2008). One interesting trait they described is evisceration prior to gonad
development from August to October. Therefore they proposed a ‘‘reproductive
ban’’ from February to May and another from August to October because the
evisceration process.
Herrero-Perezrul et al. (1999) analyzed the reproduction and growth of I. fuscus
at Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California Sur. They described an annual reproductive
pattern, with a single spawning period during summer, which was also influenced
by sea surface temperature. The reproductive cycle was monitored histologically.
Five gonadal stages were described according to cell types present in the gonad.
Reyes-Bonilla et al. (2008) evaluated the abundance of I. fuscus in the National
Park Bahia de Loreto, Gulf of California, during the fishing season 2005–2006 at
29 sites or ‘‘banks’’. The average abundance of I. fuscus in the park was 1.41 ±
0.02 individuals per transect, with an average density of 0.0280 ± 0.0004 ind m
-2 .
The density was slightly higher in the southern banks. The lowest density was at
Isla Montserrat, which is close to the coastline of the Baja California Peninsula
where most of the fishery occurs. They concluded that the low levels of density do
not represent a critical situation for the populations.
Herrero-Perezrul and Reyes-Bonilla (2008) estimated the relative condition of
an exploited population of I. fuscus at Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California Sur.
Length and weight were monitored each month and the weight-length relationship
and the index of relative condition were calculated. The weight-length relationship
showed that I. fuscus grew allometrically at this site. The index of relative condition exhibited a parabolic relationship with total length, and peaked at 21 cm
length, which is the size of first maturity. They concluded this pattern may indicate
the condition of individuals improves slowly with age up to a certain point and
then decreases gradually. This finding is important because provides possible
evidence of aging. It is the first indication of senescence in holothurians.
Skarbnik-Lopez et al. (2010) described the reproductive biology and growth of
Holothuria (Selenkothuria) lubrica at Bahia de la Paz, Baja California Sur.
According to data of the length-weight relationship they determined this species
2 The Echinoderms of Mexico
35
Reproduction is maybe the most studied trait of sea cucumbers in Mexico, especially for commercial species (Isostichopus fuscus and Parastichopus parvimensis)
(Herrero-Perezrul 1994, 2004; Fajardo-León et al. 1995; Tapia-Vasquez et al.
1996; Herrero-Perezrul et al. 1999). However, some other sea cucumbers (Holothuria pluricuriosa and H. lubrica) have been studied (Herrero-Perezrul 1994;
Skarbnik-Lopez 2006; Skarbnik-Lopez et al. 2010).
Tapia-Vasquez et al. (1996) analyzed the gonadal cycle of P. parvimensis at the
west coast of Baja California. They showed that the gonad develops during spring
and spawning occurs during summer (July and August). They estimated first
maturity at lengths between 25 and 29 cm. The reproduction in this species was
similar at Isla Natividad and Bahia Tortugas, Baja California Sur (Fajardo-Leon
et al. 2008). One interesting trait they described is evisceration prior to gonad
development from August to October. Therefore they proposed a ‘‘reproductive
ban’’ from February to May and another from August to October because the
evisceration process.
Herrero-Perezrul et al. (1999) analyzed the reproduction and growth of I. fuscus
at Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California Sur. They described an annual reproductive
pattern, with a single spawning period during summer, which was also influenced
by sea surface temperature. The reproductive cycle was monitored histologically.
Five gonadal stages were described according to cell types present in the gonad.
Reyes-Bonilla et al. (2008) evaluated the abundance of I. fuscus in the National
Park Bahia de Loreto, Gulf of California, during the fishing season 2005–2006 at
29 sites or ‘‘banks’’. The average abundance of I. fuscus in the park was 1.41 ±
0.02 individuals per transect, with an average density of 0.0280 ± 0.0004 ind m
-2 .
The density was slightly higher in the southern banks. The lowest density was at
Isla Montserrat, which is close to the coastline of the Baja California Peninsula
where most of the fishery occurs. They concluded that the low levels of density do
not represent a critical situation for the populations.
Herrero-Perezrul and Reyes-Bonilla (2008) estimated the relative condition of
an exploited population of I. fuscus at Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California Sur.
Length and weight were monitored each month and the weight-length relationship
and the index of relative condition were calculated. The weight-length relationship
showed that I. fuscus grew allometrically at this site. The index of relative condition exhibited a parabolic relationship with total length, and peaked at 21 cm
length, which is the size of first maturity. They concluded this pattern may indicate
the condition of individuals improves slowly with age up to a certain point and
then decreases gradually. This finding is important because provides possible
evidence of aging. It is the first indication of senescence in holothurians.
Skarbnik-Lopez et al. (2010) described the reproductive biology and growth of
Holothuria (Selenkothuria) lubrica at Bahia de la Paz, Baja California Sur.
According to data of the length-weight relationship they determined this species
2 The Echinoderms of Mexico
35