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MARINE FISHERIES INFORMATION SERVICE
1947-1996
i No. 158 DECEMBEB 1998
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, . TTcSr TECHNICAL AND
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rt CENTRAL MARINE FISHERIES S T T ^ T t e T F T RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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886 ON A LITTLE KNOWN HOLOTHURIAN STICHOPUS VASTUS SLUITER WITH NOTES ON OTHER SPECIES OF STICHOPUS FROM THE SEAS AROUND INDIA
D.B. James
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India
Introduction
The genus Stichopus was established by B r a n d t in 1835 w i t h t h e t y p e s p e c i e s S.
chloronotus from J a p a n . The species of the genus Stichopus are often massive, with the body quadrangular and with fleshy tubercles projecting along four sides of the body. The gonadal tubules are arranged in two b u n c h e s . The bodywall is soft and easily disintegrates on exposure to air. More than 50 species have been recorded under this genus. Clark (1922) revised this g e n u s and reduced the n u m b e r of t h e species to about 20.
Stichopus vastus was described by Sluiter (1888) from Batavia, the present day Djakarta.
T h i s c o n s p i c u o u s a n d strikingly different species of Stichopus is unfortunately mixed up with S. variegatus, all these years and S. vastus is not recorded after its first description. S.
vastus is a distinct and valid species, therefore after more t h a n one h u n d r e d years, the name S. vastus is re-established here. During a stay at Port Blair (Andamans) in 1975-'78 the author collected several specimens of this species from Wandoor near Port Blair in shallow water of one metre depth. Since there is no description of t h i s s p e c i e s after i t s first r e p o r t , a brief description of the same is given here with a photograph. The differences from S. variegatus set forth in a Table so t h a t this distinct species in future may not be confused with S. variegatus.
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Fig. 1. Stichopus vastus Sluiter - d o r s a l view.
Stichopus vastus sluiter
Occurrence : Wandoor (South Andamans), littoral, less t h a n a metre in depth, several specimens.
Description : The length of the specimens examined varied from 300 to 500 mm. In the living condition the body resembles a giant caterpillar. The dorsal side of the body is thrown into a number of rectangular bulges caused by depressions at the corner of each bulge. On the dorsal side there are four indistinct rows of low projections (15-20 mm in length) which resemble mammae. Of the four rows of projections, the mid-dorsal ones have smaller tubercles t h a n those of the dorso-lateral margins. On the ventro-lateral margin there is a single row of w a r t s o n e a c h s i d e w h i c h a r e n o t v e r y conspicuous.
On the ventral side the pedicels are arranged in four b a n d s . All the b a n d s are more or less of the same width. In each band there are four to six pedicels arranged in a transverse row. The pedicels are 10 mm in length.
The radials are twice the size of the inter- radials. The posterior edge of the radials h a s a cleft. The i n t e r - r a d i a l s a r e a r c h e d a t t h e posterior margin. The anterior end of the inter- radials is like a stump.
Spicules are similar to those found in S.
variegatus b u t the C-shaped bodies are fewer in n u m b e r . T h e p e d i c e l s h a v e two t y p e s of supporting plates. Colour in the living condition is very striking like a zebra. The general colour on the dorsal side is dull yellow with dirty green stripes arranged in concentric diamond-shaped rings a r o u n d each projection. All the lines converge near the depressions present at the corner of each rectangular bulge on the dorsal side. The ventral side is pinkish brown with dark brown pedicels. The stocks of the tentacles are white with the tips yellowish-white.
Remarks
In the seas a r o u n d India only Stichopus variegatus and S. chloronotus are known. Both the species are recorded from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep (James, 1983. 1989, 1991). These species are also reported from the Gulf of Mannar by J a m e s (1988). At Vedalai in the Gulf of Mannar young specimens (100-200 mm) of S. variegatus are found on Cymadocea beds. Slightly larger forms are found u n d e r coral s t o n e s in the Gulf of Mannar, the Andamans and the Lakshadweep.
At Port Blair specimens reaching 900 mm are collected from shallow waters. Gravely (1927) reported S. chloronotus a s common near the inshore Ashing station Rameswaram. However, during the last 70 y e a r s , this species is not collected from the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay.
In some of the Islands of the Lakshadweep like Klltan, this species occurred in large numbers during February, '87.
Clark (1946) stated t h a t despite the large size t h e s p e c i e s of Stichopus seemed to be p r a c t i c a l l y of no v a l u e for p r o c e s s i n g . S.
chloronotus is listed u n d e r non-commercial species and the species of SHchppus are reported a s of low value for processing (Anon., 1974;
1994). McElroy (1990) lists the species of Stichopus a s of medium value. In recent years species of Stichopus are processed in large numbers and one kg of processed material costs US $ 6-8.
Distribution
T h i s s p e c i e s w a s first d e s c r i b e d from 13
D j a k a r t a i n 1 8 8 8 . P r e s e n t l y It i s f o u n d i n W a n d o o r , n e a r Port Blair. Mr. K. S a c h i t h a n - a n t h a n former B e c h e - d e - m e r c o n s u l t a n t of t h e FAO c o l l e c t e d t h i s s p e c i e s from S o u t h S e a I s l a n d s a n d s e n t it t o t h e a u t h o r f o r identification. It is a l s o found i n t h e A u s t r a l i a n w a t e r s (Dr. F.W.E. Rowe : p e r s o n a l c o m m u n - ication) a n d H e r o n I s l a n d (Miss. A.M. C l a r k : p e r s o n a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n ) . T h e a u t h o r h a s a l s o s e e n t h i s s p e c i e s in Male while w o r k i n g a s FAO C o n s u l t a n t i n t h e Maldives. I t s o c c u r r e n c e i n t h e L a k s h a d w e e p is a d i s t i n c t possibility. It i s n o t d i s t r i b u t e d i n t h e Gulf of M a n n a r a n d Palk Bay b u t likely to b e t a k e n from a n u m b e r of o t h e r localities in t h e I n d o - W e s t Pacific.
I t h a n k Dr. M. D e v a r a j , Director. C.M.F.R.
I n s t i t u t e , C o c h i n for h i s i n t e r e s t a n d e n c o u r g e - m e n t . 1 also t h a n k Dr. F.W.E. Rowe, formerly of t h e British M u s e u m ( N a t u r a l History), L o n d o n a n d t h e A u s t r a l i a n M u s e u m , S y d n e y for h i s k i n d c o m m e n t s a n d s u g g e s t i o n s .
R e f e r e n c e s
Anonymous 1974. Beche-de-mer of the South Pacific Islands - A Handbook for Fishermen. South Pacific Commission, New Caledonia, 29 pp.
Anonymous 1994. Sea Cucumbers and Beche- de-mer of Tropical Pacific - A Handbook for fishers. Ibid., 51 pp.
•Brandt, J.F. 1835. Prodromus description Is a n l m a l l u m ab H. Mertensio in orbls t e r r a r u m
circumnavlgatione observatorum. Petropoli, 1, 75 pp.
Clark, H.L. 1922. Holothurlans of the genus Stichopus. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. No. 65, 39-74.
Clark, H.L. 1946. The Echlnoderm fauna of Australia. Pubis. Carnegie Instn., No. 566, 567 pp.
Gravely, F. H. 1927. The littoral faune of K r u s a d a l I s l a n d In t h e Gulf of of M a n n a r : Echinodermata. Bull Madras Govt. Mus. (Nat. Hist.):
1(1), 163-173.
James, D.B. 1983. Sea cucumber and sea urchin resources. Bull. Cent. Mar. Fish. Res. Inst, No. 34, p.
85-93.
James, D.B. 1988. Echlnoderm fauna of proposed National Marine Park In the Gulf of Mannar. Proc.
Sym. Endangered Marine Animals and Marine Parks.
Marine Biological Association of India, Cochin, p. 403- 406.
James, D.B. 1989. Echinoderms of Lakshadweep and their zoogeography. Bull. Cent. Mar. Fish. Res.
Inst, No. 43, p. 97-144.
James, D.B. 1991. Echinoderms of the Marine National Park, South Andamans. J. Andaman Set Ass., 7(2) : 19-23.
McElroy, S. 1990. Beche-de-mer species of commercial value -an update. SPC BGch€~ciG-m€rBull., No. 2, p.2-7.
Sluiter, C.P. 1888. Die Everbraten a u s der Sammlung des Konlgllchen Naturwlssen schaftlicher Verelns In Nlederlandlschen Indlen in Batavia. Die echlnodermen. 1. Holothuroidea. Natuurk. lydschr.
Ned. Indie. 47 : 181-220.
TABLE 1. Differences between S t i c h o p u s v a r i e g a t u s arvi S t i c h o p u s v a s t u s
C h a r a c t e r S. variegatus S. vastus
Body form a n d s h a p e
Colour
Loaf-shaped
Yellowish-brown
C a l c a r e o u s ring C a l c a r e o u s ring w i t h b r o a d a n d
Body is like a g i a n t caterpillar with a n u m b e r of r e c t a n g u l a r bulges c a u s e d b y d e p r e s s i o n s a t t h e c o m e r of e a c h bulge.
Body w i t h zebra-like m a r k i n g s . Dor- s a l side dull yellow w i t h dirty green s t r i p e s a r r a n g e d in c o n c e n t r i c d i a - m o n d - s h a p e d r i n g s a r o u n d e a c h pro- jection. V e n t r a l side is p i n k i s h brown.
C a l c a r e o u s ring s h o r t a n d thick with t h e r a d i a l s twice t h e size of t h e inter-
Arrangement of pedicels Arrangement of
Spicules dorsal papillae
thin radlals and inter-radlals of the same size.
Pedicels arranged In three distinct bands.
Four rows of low rounded warts, central rows close to dorso-lateral rows.
C-shaped bodies numerous;
pedicels with one type of supporting plates.
radials.
Pedicels a r r a n g e d in four distinct bands.
Four rows of projections resembling mammae. Mid-dorsal rows well sepa- rated from doroso-lateral rows.
C-shaped bodies fewer in number;
pedicels with two types of supporting plates.
*Not referred to in original.
15
Remarks
Holothuria (Microthele) Juscogilva resembles Holothuria (Micorthele) nobilis in every respect except for the colour pattern, absence of cuvierlan tubules and habits. Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis is common on shallow reef bottoms that are not subject to terrigenous influence. It is collected from Port Blair (Andamans) in the intertidal region and also from the Lakshadweep in the lagoons less than one metre depth.
Distribution
Holothuria (Microthele) Juscogilva is widely distributed in the South Pacific Islands. It is recorded from New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Queenlands, Torres Strait and other places. It was collected by the author from the Maldives. It is likely to be present at A n d a m a n a n d N l c o b a r I s l a n d s a n d t h e Lakshadweep in deeper waters.
Export potential
Holothuria (Microthele) Juscogilva is a high value species for processing. One kg of processed material of this species cost US $ 24.00 in 1990.
In fact, Holothuria (Microthele) Juscogilva ranks only next to Holothuria scabra in value. It is quite likely that there exists a population of this species off Kayalpatnam at a depth of 10 m which can be exploited for processing are processed in different ways. The Chinese introduced processing of sea cucumber to India more than one thousand years back. The processing method they taught is mainly meant for Holothuria scabra. Bohadschia marmorata and Holothuria spinijera which have more calcareous material in their bodywall are also processed in the same way like H.scabra. The correct method of processing for Holothuria (Microthele) Juscogilva is given below. The same method can be used for Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis also.
The s e a c u c u m b e r s a r e first s q u e e z e d a s s u m i n g t h a t t h e g u t e n t r a i l s h a v e b e e n eviscerated while putting them in heaps. They are introduced one by one slowly into boiling sea water. Relatively fewer number of teatflsh should be handled at a time to give Individual care during boiling. Teatflsh tends to float as it seals water and air inside. This builds up pressure with rising
temperature. The bodywall will break if they are not properly attended. Bloated teatflsh are taken and punctured in the mid-dorsal region and put back into the boiling pan for the completion of the cooking process. The sea cucumbers should be stirred frequently using a wooden spatula and boiled for 30-45 minutes. Since the material does not become rubber-like, the bouncing test cannot be applied. The teatflsh are removed with a long handled ring net. They are then cooled by placing on a raised platform or wooden plank. They are cut open along the mid-dorsal line, leaving some portions at the anterior and posterior ends. If there remain any visceral portions, they are washed out using lukewarm water. Then the product is again boiled for another 15-20 minutes.
The p r o d u c t now s h r i n k s a n d the bodywall becomes hard. Afterwards they are removed using the ring net and cooled. Wooden splinters of 3-4 cm. long are placed between the cut edges of the dorsal wall to expose the inner portion and are then s u n dried on drying platforms.
888 Note on Mercia opima, a venerid clam from Medha creek, Gujarat
The Medha river flows through the low lying plain lands of Porbander and Jamnagar districts in Gujarat a n d opens into the Arabian Sea between H a r s h a d a n d Miani (Fig. 1) Saline
Fig. 1. Sketch map of study area (Medha Creek).
