Biochemical composition of some Echinodermata (Holothuroidea, Echinoidea) from the Red Sea, Egypt

In the present study, the biochemical composition of some Echinodermata (Holothuroidea, Echinoidea) from the Red Sea, Egypt was investigated. The results showed that the highest percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was in Holothuria nobilis and the lowest percentage was recorded in Holothuria scabra. The highest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was recorded in Pearsonothuria graeffei while the lowest percentage was recorded in Holothuria atra. The highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was recorded in Holothuria nobilis and the lowest percentage was recorded in Holothuria atra. The highest percentage of omega-3 fatty acids was recorded in Stichopus hermanni however, the lowest percentage was recorded in Diadema setosum. The highest percentage of omega-6 fatty acids was recorded in Bohadschia vitiensis where, the lowest percentage was recorded in Holothuria atra. In addition, nonessential amino acid (NEAA) glycine were the highest in all species and serine was the lowest while Essential amino acid (EAA) arginine was the highest and cysteine was the lowest. All of the NEAA recorded highest concentrations in S. hermanni except proline. The recorded essential amino acids were histidine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and leucine. The latter was high in Pearsonothuria graeffei. Tyrosine, valine, threonine, and arginine were high in Stichopus hermanni. The present study proved that sea cucumbers has great nutritional value.

Diversity of echinoderms of class echinoidea and holothuroidea in waingapu old pier, east sumba regency

Echinoderms are in habitats in coastal waters because is a biota that can maintain the sustainability and the balance of the coral reef ecosystem. Human activity in utili zing Echinoderms, namely in Echinoidea and Holothuroidea can affect life his life. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of phyla Echinoderms class Echinoidea and Holothuroidea at the Harbor Waingapu Old Pier and its use as a medium Biology learning. The research method used is purposive sampling and analyzed using the approach quantitative descriptive with the Shannon diversity index formula Wiener. Echinoderm samples were calculated using the technique quadratic transects with a plot size of 2 x 2 meters are placed perpendicularly in the direction of 50 meters using a plot of 30 plot. Environmental factors measured are temperature, salinity, degrees acidity (pH) and levels of oxygen (DO). Measurements are taken at each observation station. The results showed 11 species Echinoderms are divided into 2 classes, namely Diadema setosum, Diadema savignyi, Tripneustes gratilla, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, Echinocardium flavescens, Clypeaster subdepressus, and Mespilia globulus from the class Echinoidea. Holothuria atra, Holothuria scraba, Euapta godeffroyi and Chiridota rigida from the class Holothuroidea. The diversity index obtained includes medium category with a value of H = 1.696.

Isolation of sea cucumbers’s (Holothuria atra) secondary metabolite using column-chromatography technique

Identification of sea cucumbers from Benteng Inong Balee, Aceh Besar and their phytochemistry screening were conducted in December 2020 to January 2021 at Laboratory of Marine Chemistry and Fisheries Biotechnology, Universitas Syiah Kuala. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of sea cucumbers and its secondary metabolite content using phytochemistry screening and column chromatography. The species of sea cucumbers that were identified was Holothuria atra. The extraction method used in sea cucumber extraction was maceration method, while the separation of secondary metabolites used column-chromatography with eluent of n-hexane : ethyl acetate (8:4). The results showed that secondary metabolites obtained from phytochemical tests were flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids.

Community structure of sea cucumber on Harapan Island and East Penjaliran Island, Kepulauan Seribu National Park, Indonesia

Sea cucumbers are marine animals of the Holothuroidea Class that have ecological, health, and socioeconomic benefits. This study aims to determine the structure of the sea cucumber community on Harapan Island and East Penjaliran Island, Kepulauan Seribu National Park, Kepulauan Seribu Regency. Data collection was conducted in January 2020, where each island was divided into two stations, and each station was divided into three substations for data retrieval. The method is a quadratic transect method using a plot measuring 1x1 m. In each square plot, observations were made regarding the type and number of sea cucumbers found and water quality parameters, including salinity, temperature, pH, DO, and total organic matter. Observation parameters include diversity index, uniformity index, frequency, density, important value index, dominance, and sea cucumber distribution index. During the study, species found on Harapan Island include H. atra, H. scabra, H. leucospilota, Bohadschia marmorata, and Stichopus herrmanni. Meanwhile, species found on East Penjaliran Island include H. atra, H. leucospilota, H. coluber, H. pardalis, H. fuscocinerea, H. hilla, Bohadschia marmorata, Stichopus ocellatus, and Stichopus monotuberculatus. The most abundant and predominant species on both islands is Holothuria atra. The average diversity index on Harapan Island falls into the low category, while East Penjaliran Island is classified as medium. The dominance index of both islands is low and has a uniform distribution. Environmental conditions and sea cucumber exploitation affect the structure of sea cucumber communities on both islands.

Biodiversity of megabenthos and coral reef condition in Tuan Island, Aceh Besar

The existence of megabenthos has an important role in maintaining sustainability of coral reef ecosystems and in the food web process. Megabenthos is also often used as an indicator of the health condition of coral reefs. The purpose of study was to analyze the biodiversity of megabenthos associated with coral reef in Tuan Island. This research was conducted in July -September, 2020. There were four research stations determined by purposes method based on four wind directions. Megabenthos data collection carried out by benthos belt transect method and coral reef data collected by using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. The results were found 8 species of megabenthos target, namely spiny starfish (Acanthaster planci), blue starfish (Linckia laevigata), sea urchins (Diadema setosum), sea cucumbers (Holothuria atra), clams (Tridacna squamosa), Drupella snails (Drupella sp.), lola clams (Tronchus niloticus) and lobster (Panulirus versicolor). Totally, there were 190 individuals of megabenthos with the abundance ranged from 0.18 to 0.52 individuals/m2. Diadema setosum had the highest abundance with the value 0.9 individuals/m2 followed by Drupulella sp. (0.3 individuals/m2). The highest diversity index was station 4 followed by station 3, 2, and 1 with the value of 2.21, 0.85, 0.64, and 0.41, respectively. The diversity index was categorized as low and medium. The average of evenness and dominance indices were 0.04 and 0.62, both was medium category. The highest percentage of coral cover was at station 1 followed by station 3, 4, and 2, the coral cover value were 50.44%, 29.20%, 18.14%, and 9.29%, respectively. The correlation (r) between the percentage of coral reef cover and megabenthos abundance has a positive correlation, but the level of correlation was low (0.215 %). The density of megabenthos on Tuan Island did not have a major influence on coral reef cover where the determination value (R2) was 0.0462 which indicated that the megabenthos abundance was influenced by the percentage of coral reef cover only 4.62%.

Diversity, Length-Weight Relations, and Condition Factor of Sea Cucumbers in Three Coastal Areas Along the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka: A Case Study

Economically and ecologically important ecosystems that consist of diverse finfish and shellfish resources are found along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Thus, the current study intends in assessing the species diversity, length-weight (L-W) relationships, and condition factor of sea cucumber stocks in selected coastal sites of southern Sri Lanka. The diversity of sea cucumber species was surveyed using the systematic sampling technique in three selected sites (Bandaramulla, Mirissa, and Weligama) during February-December 2019. The growth pattern of each species was identified using a least-squares regression model computed for length-weight relationships. Fulton’s condition factor (K) was analysed for each species. There were four common sea cucumber species (Holothuria atra - Lolly Fish, Bohadschia marmorata - White Thread fish, Actinipyga miliaris- Deep Water Blackfish, and Thelenota ananas- Prickly Redfish) in study sites, while Holothuria atra and Bohadschia marmorata were recorded as the most abundant species. The length-weight relationship derived for the above four species exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern (“b” < “3”), indicating faster length increment compared to weight. The habitat qualities of all sea cucumber species were in optimum environmental condition. Our findings would benefit as baseline data for implementing sustainable management practices of sea cucumber resources.