Download - (MSM) College, Kayamkulam

Deepa R. Pillai
TAXONOMY, DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY OF SEA CUCUMBERS (HOLOTHUROIDEA:
ECHINODERMATA) ALONG KERALA COAST
UGC-MINOR PROJECT
Executive Summary
Among the members of the Phylum Echinodermata, Sea cucumbers are highly
evolved invertebrates, exhibiting affinities to higher phyla. They possess high
economic value as a source of food and are an important commercial fishery
resource. Since they are used in treatment of cardiovascular disease and tumours,
they have much importance in the medical field. Culture of echinoderms,
particularly the holothurians has become a major aquaculture activity in many
parts of the world.
Detailed
taxonomic
studies
on
the
sea
cucumber
fauna
of
Kerala
coastconductedduring the period 2013-2015 revealed the presence of ten species
of sea cucumbers. These species were collected mainly from the rocky shores of
Kerala such as Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Mulloor, Thirumullavarum and Neendakara
fishing harbour. Among the various sites of collection, Vizhinjamwaslocated as
ideal habitat rich in sea cucumber diversity. Environmental parameters were
studied by taking water samples from the region of occurrence of sea cucumbers.
Those parameters influencing the ecology of sea cucumbers showed that their
exist seasonal variation in these parameters, which might influence the migration
of the species and occurance of the species.Feeding biology of two selected
species of sea cucumbers studied indicated that they are either detritus feeders or
algal grazers, playing important role in nutrient recycling in ocean floors.
Bar coding of sea cucumbers has been done from the mitochondrial genecytochrome oxidase 1 and it supports the conventional taxonomic identification.
The bar coded data is submitted to GenBank and accession numbers obtained for
further reference and research. This formed the first submission of DNA data of
sea cucumbers from India.
The holothurians are susceptible to over exploitation and are included in Schedule
I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India. So emphasis on sustainable utilization
and conservation of sea cucumber fishery must be needed.Cultivation of sea
cucumbers has thus become a necessity in India both for stock enhancement
programs and as a means to meet market demand. This can be done by rearing sea
cucumber through integrated farming with shrimp and other marine organisms like
oysters.