Sea CUcumber as new MARine reSoURce: potential for fishery and aquaculture (CUMARSUR)

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Estimation of growth parameters for the exploited sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis from South Portugal

Publication . Olaya-Restrepo, Julian; Erzini, Karim; Gonzalez-Wanguemert, Mercedes

Understanding how species grow is critical for choosing appropriate fisheries management strategies. Sea cucumbers shrink during periods of aestivation and have naturally flaccid bodies that make measuring growth difficult. In this study, we obtained length-frequency data on Holothuria arguinensis, measuring undisturbed animals in situ, because it is one of the new target species of the NE Atlantic and Southwestern Mediterranean fisheries. Growth parameters were estimated for individuals inhabiting the Ria Formosa lagoon (Portugal). Length-frequency data were collected between November 2012 and March 2014 by using a visual census augmented with random sampling in 2014. To estimate the asymptotic length (L-infinity) and growth coefficient (K), 2 different growth models were fitted to the length frequency data for 1198 sea cucumbers: the nonseasonal von Bertalanffy and Hoenig seasonal von Bertalanffy models. A L-infinity of 69.9 cm and K of 0.88 were estimated by using the Hoenig function for seasonal growth. The value of 1.0 obtained for the parameter C of this function indicates reduction in growth during winter. The relatively high growth rate (K) of this species may have important implications for its survival, mainly in environments where conditions cause biological stress and oceanic disturbances but may also increase its potential as a candidate for aquaculture.

2018Journal article

Open Access

Seagrass debris as potential food source to enhance Holothuria arguinensis' growth in aquaculture

Publication . Dominguez Godino, Jorge Antonio; Santos, Tamara; H., Pereira; Custódio, Luísa; Gonzalez-Wanguemert, Mercedes

Holothuria arguinensis aquaculture started to be developed in 2014, being the first sea cucumber species from Europe. However, some aspects of its aquaculture biotechnology, such diets, need to be assessed. This work aimed to evaluate seagrass debris of Zostera noltii and Cymodocea nodosa as food source for broodstock maintenance in tanks, during breeding periods. The given feed rations per tank were calculated as the 30% of the total sea cucumber biomass in each tank and reviewed each week. Then, feed rations of seagrass and sediment were calculated from this value, according to the following percentages: 40% sediment, 15% Z. noltii, 40% Z. noltii, 15% C. nodosa and 40% C. nodosa. H. arguinensis growth, feeding rate and nutritional value were assessed under these diets. H. arguinensis fed with 40% of Z. noltii showed the highest growth (specific growth rate = 0.09 +/- 0.06%/day, absolute growth rate = 0.11 +/- 0.07 g/day) increasing their final weight in 5.86 +/- 3.57% in 57 days. However, the individuals fed with C. nodosa showed a negative growth. H. arguinensis showed a reduction in its feeding rate as the organic matter content in the diets increased. H. arguinensis did not show any important change on proximate composition, protein, lipid, mineral contents and fatty acids profile among the feeding groups, or in comparison with the individuals collected from wild habitat. Therefore, H. arguinensis could be fed with Z. noltii debris during tanks maintenance along breeding period, ensuring its growth and maintaining its nutritional profile.

2020-04Journal article

Open Access

First record of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Segura River mouth (Spain, southwestern Mediterranean Sea)

Publication . González-Wangüemert, Mercedes; Pujol, Juan Antonio

A single male individual of Callinectes sapidus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae) was collected on 6 December 2014 in the Segura River mouth in southeastern Spain. Information on collection site, DNA barcoding, and its present distribution and dispersal strategies are provided.

2016Journal article

Open Access

Habitat associations and seasonal abundance patterns of the sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis at Ria Formosa coastal lagoon (South Portugal)

Publication . DOMINGUEZ GODINO, JORGE ANTONIO; Gonzalez-Wanguemert, Mercedes

Sea cucumbers have an important economic value and high demand. Despite that, there is a lack of knowledge about their biology, ecology and habitat distribution patterns, which is very important for sea cucumber stock management, establishment and sizing of no-take zones, restocking actions and selection of grow-out areas. This work aimed to determine the density, abundance and habitat associations of Holothuria arguinensis for a better understanding of its distribution along the coastal lagoon Ria Formosa and to select suitable areas for grow-out. In the duration of a year, monthly visual censuses were performed in two locations at Ria Formosa along the intertidal zone. The number and length of H. arguinensis ' individuals found were registered, and the coverage of algae and seagrass was estimated. It was found that H. arguinensis was distributed along the lower intertidal zone, linked to Zostera noltii meadows on muddy and sandy bottoms. These areas showed the densest population and the largest sizes of H. arguinensis. However, during the warmer months, H. arguinensis seemed to migrate to deeper waters in the channels, to avoid exposition to high temperatures and solar/UV irradiance during low tides. Areas located in the lower intertidal zone with Z. noltii meadows on sand-muddy bottoms should be selected for H. arguinensis grow-out sites.

2020Journal article

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Epidemiology of skin ulceration disease in wild sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis, a new aquaculture target species

Publication . Cánovas, F.; DOMINGUEZ GODINO, JORGE ANTONIO; Gonzalez-Wanguemert, Mercedes

Interest in wildlife epidemiology has increased in recent years. The control of diseases is critical for the survival of natural populations of economically valuable species. The present study is the first investigation of the etiology and epidemiology of skin ulceration disease in the sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis, a new target species for fisheries and aquaculture in Europe. Bacterial cultures and molecular techniques were used to characterize this disease in animals collected during a survey across Ria Formosa Natural Park coastal lagoon in southern Portugal. Vibrio gigantis and V. crassostreae, which were both originally identified as disease agents in cultured oysters, were the most commonly isolated species of bacteria. Given that both sampling areas from which symptomatic H. arguinensis were collected were close to open oyster aquaculture facilities, this raises the possibility of an opportunistic infection, perhaps secondary to a decreased immune response caused by biotic or abiotic factors. An increase in prevalence of skin ulceration disease during the warmer season suggests that solar radiation and desiccation due to air exposure during low tide could be a cause of abiotic stress in the lagoon. Distributions of abundance and sizes of H. arguinensis in affected areas showed highest morbidity rates in adults. High fishery pressures throughout the study period could also cause elevations in prevalence and incidence rate of this disease. Skin ulcerative disease is endemic in this coastal lagoon. Disease monitoring is thus essential for the development of a conservation program to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and protection of natural resources.

2019-06Journal article

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