Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology
The Atlanto-Mediterranean sea cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> is a species of great ecological and commercial importance, making it a primary target for collection in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the reproductive biology of <i>H. tubulosa</i> (Gmelin,...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Athina Balatsou Chrysoula Apostologamvrou Dimitris Vafidis |
| author_facet | Athina Balatsou Chrysoula Apostologamvrou Dimitris Vafidis |
| author_sort | Athina Balatsou |
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| description | The Atlanto-Mediterranean sea cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> is a species of great ecological and commercial importance, making it a primary target for collection in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the reproductive biology of <i>H. tubulosa</i> (Gmelin, 1793) in a coastal area of the Central Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) over a one-year period, from June 2021 to May 2022. Monthly sampling was conducted via dives at depths up to 10 m, alongside the recording of environmental and biometric data. Histological analysis revealed a synchronous annual reproductive cycle, with gonadal maturation beginning in April and peak sexual maturity observed in July and August, followed by a single spawning event from August to September. The sex ratio was 1:1.31 (male: female), and the size at first maturity was 255.3 mm. These findings provide essential insights into the reproductive physiology of <i>H. tubulosa</i> and further contribute to the development of sustainable stock management strategies for sea cucumbers in the Hellenic Seas. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2410-3888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj-art-f665e667c2d942e7b0f269a0d2f2e01e2025-08-20T03:27:17ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882025-06-0110628310.3390/fishes10060283Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive BiologyAthina Balatsou0Chrysoula Apostologamvrou1Dimitris Vafidis2Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, GreeceDepartment of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, GreeceDepartment of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, GreeceThe Atlanto-Mediterranean sea cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> is a species of great ecological and commercial importance, making it a primary target for collection in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the reproductive biology of <i>H. tubulosa</i> (Gmelin, 1793) in a coastal area of the Central Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) over a one-year period, from June 2021 to May 2022. Monthly sampling was conducted via dives at depths up to 10 m, alongside the recording of environmental and biometric data. Histological analysis revealed a synchronous annual reproductive cycle, with gonadal maturation beginning in April and peak sexual maturity observed in July and August, followed by a single spawning event from August to September. The sex ratio was 1:1.31 (male: female), and the size at first maturity was 255.3 mm. These findings provide essential insights into the reproductive physiology of <i>H. tubulosa</i> and further contribute to the development of sustainable stock management strategies for sea cucumbers in the Hellenic Seas.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/6/283gametogenesisoocytesfecundityhistologygonadosomatic index |
| spellingShingle | Athina Balatsou Chrysoula Apostologamvrou Dimitris Vafidis Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology Fishes gametogenesis oocytes fecundity histology gonadosomatic index |
| title | Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology |
| title_full | Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology |
| title_fullStr | Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology |
| title_short | Fecundity Study and Histological Analysis of the Gonads of the Sea Cucumber <i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Central Aegean Sea, Greece: Insights into Reproductive Biology |
| title_sort | fecundity study and histological analysis of the gonads of the sea cucumber i holothuria tubulosa i echinodermata holothuroidea in the central aegean sea greece insights into reproductive biology |
| topic | gametogenesis oocytes fecundity histology gonadosomatic index |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/6/283 |
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