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Reproductive biology of the commercial sea cucumber Athyonidium chilensis (Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida) in southern Chile

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2016

Josefina Peters-Didier ,
Luis Miguel Pardo ,
Orlando Garrido  and
Carlos S. Gallardo
Josefina Peters-Didier*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
Luis Miguel Pardo
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile Centro de Investigación de Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Valdivia, Chile
Orlando Garrido
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
Carlos S. Gallardo
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
*
Correspondence should be addressed to:J. Peters-Didier, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand email: josefina.peters-didier@auckland.ac.nz
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Abstract

Reproductive aspects of the sea cucumber Athyonidium chilensis were studied over a year in Valdivia, Chile, through gonad index (GI) analysis, macro- and microscopic analysis of the gonads, fecundity and size at first sexual maturity estimations. We also explored the reliability of live size estimators for their use in fisheries. Athyonidium chilensis showed continuous gametogenesis and spawning individuals could be found throughout the year. However, spring was the main reproductive time, where an important GI decrease coincided with enhanced spawning activity evidenced through histology. GIs recovered in summer, and new signs of enhanced spawning activity were observed towards autumn (April 2008). GI peaks were observed in August 2007 and March 2008 for females (22.8 and 24.4% respectively) and September 2007 and March 2008 for males (31.9 and 25.9% respectively). Low mean GIs occurred in May and December 2007 for females (15.2 and 11.6% respectively) and May and October 2007 for males (12.7 and 14.1% respectively). Males reached sexual maturity at a smaller size than females (males: 21.2 g, females: 43.7 g eviscerated weight), and mature females showed a high mean absolute fecundity for a species with lecithotrophic larval development (6.31 × 105 ± 1.97 × 105 SD). For fisheries, we recommend a minimum catch size over 237.89 g drained weight to ensure that caught individuals are sexually mature. This study provides relevant information for the conservation and fishery management of A. chilensis. Continuous gametogenesis and high fecundity make this species particularly suitable for aquaculture in southern Chile.

Keywords

sea cucumberChileAthyonidium chilensisbêche-de-merfisheriesaquaculturereproductive cyclefecundityholothuroid
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 98 , Issue 2 , March 2018 , pp. 311 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2016 

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Footnotes

2

Present address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

References

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