The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata): Its biology and exploitation as Beche-de-mer
2001
Author
Hamel J.F.
Abstract
One of the most intensively studied holothurians, Holothuria scabra has been discussed in the literature since 1833. The species is important for several reasons: (1) it is abundant and widely distributed in shallow soft-bottom habitats throughout the Indo-Pacific; (2) it has a high value on the Asian markets, where it is mainly sold as beche-de-mer; and (3) it is the only tropical holothurian species that can currently be mass produced in hatcheries. Research on H. scabra continues but because of commercial exploitation, wild stocks are declining. This review compiles data from 14 these and 352 technical reports and scientific papers pertaining to the biology, ecology, aquaculture and fisheries of H. scabra. Although several references are likely to have been missed by our investigation, we present the most complete reference list to date, including obscure material published by local institutions and/or in foreign languages. Our main aim was to summarize and critically discuss the abundant literature on this species, making it more readily accessible to all those wishing to conduct fundamental research, or aquaculture and stock enhancement programmes, on H. scabra across its entire geographic range. © 2001, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
DOI
10.1016/S0065-2881(01)41003-0
Journal
Advances in Marine Biology
Source
Scopus