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Individual response in basal metabolism and nutritional composition to asexual reproduction in tropical Holothurioid

aquaculture-fisheries-and-fish-science
biochemistry
marine-biology

Abstract

Background. Asexual reproduction via fission is a critical survival strategy for the sea cucumber Holothuria atra, yet the energetic and nutritional mechanisms underlying regeneration remain poorly understood.

Method. The sea cucumber Holothuria atra was induced to undergo fission by applying a rubber band to constrict the body at its midpoint. Following fission, the resulting individuals were designated as anterior (A) and posterior (P) based on their original body positions. The growth, oxygen consumption, NH 4 + excretion rates, and biochemical composition were assessed in both the anterior and posterior fragments at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days post-fission regeneration.

Results. Induced fission resulted in anterior (head-regenerating) and posterior (tail-regenerating) fragments, both of which exhibited significant weight loss (31.6% reduction by day 10) and elevated routine metabolic rates (RMR), particularly in anterior fragments (1.06 ± 0.46 mg O 2 h -1 g -1 DW by day 40). Ammonia excretion rates increased during regeneration, suggesting protein catabolism as a primary energy source (O:N ratio < 10). Despite these metabolic shifts, proximate biochemical composition (protein, lipid, carbohydrate) remained stable, except for transient peaks in fatty acids (e.g., C18:1n-9, MUFA) at day 30, likely linked to membrane synthesis. Moreover, posterior fragments showed higher carbohydrate mobilization by day 50 ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion. These findings indicate that H. atra maintains homeostasis during fission by modulating metabolism rather than depleting stored nutrients, possibly entering a hypometabolic state to conserve energy. This study highlights the resilience of H. atra to asexual reproduction stressors and underscores the need for further research on exogenous nutrient absorption during regeneration.

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