Sea cucumber breeding clues could help rebuild populations depleted by overfishing
The reproductive life of sea cucumbers has come under the microscope as University of the Sunshine Coast researchers battle overfishing of the marine creatures. Sea cucumbers—which can spawn by wobbling their heads and ejecting reproductive cells—are of particular interest to Center for Bioinnovation Ph.D. student Paul Wright.
Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast are studying sea cucumber reproduction in hopes of helping depleted populations recover from overfishing. The marine creatures reproduce by wobbling their heads and releasing reproductive cells, but their gender is impossible to tell apart externally. This makes it challenging for hatcheries to select suitable broodstock and time spawning correctly.
A key to successful breeding may be a receptor for relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP), which prompts the final stages of egg maturation and spawning. Characterizing this receptor could help hatcheries improve their breeding efforts and potentially support restocking initiatives in the wild. Sea cucumbers play a vital role in marine ecosystems by feeding on sediment, recycling nutrients, and mixing the upper layers of the seabed.
Their removal can have negative consequences for the health and functioning of marine habitats. Removing large numbers of sea cucumbers can disrupt these natural maintenance services, highlighting the importance of their conservation alongside fishery management and habitat protection.
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