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Reproductive biology of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India

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Abstract

The annual reproductive cycle of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera was studied in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India, from September 2000 to October 2001, by macroscopic and microscopic examination of gonad tubule, gonad index and histology of gametogenic stages, to determine the spawning pattern. The gonad consists of long tubules with uniform development. It does not confirm the progressive tubule recruitment model described for other holothurians. The maximum percentage of mature animals, gonad and fecundity indices, tubule length and diameter, with the observations on gonad histology, ascertained that H. spinifera had the peak gametogenic activity during September and October 2001 followed by a prolonged spawning period from November 2000–March 2001.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Prof (Dr.) Mohan Joseph Modayil (Director) and Dr. M.Rajagopalan (Head of the Fishery Environment and Management Division) of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, for their interest and encouragement.

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  1. Tuticorin Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, South Beach Road, Karapad, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, 628 001, India

    P. S. Asha & P. Muthiah

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  1. P. S. Asha
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  2. P. Muthiah
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Correspondence to P. S. Asha.

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Asha, P.S., Muthiah, P. Reproductive biology of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. Aquacult Int 16, 231–242 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-007-9140-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-007-9140-z

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