FRESH AND PROCESSED SEA CUCUMBERS OF SRI LANKA: Identification Guide
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Authors: D.C.T. Dissanayake and G. Nishanthan Publication Year: 2016 Copyright: USJP and NRC 15-050, 2016 ISBN 978-955-0263-07-3 This is a product of NRC Grant 15-50 and this is not for sale
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FRESH AND PROCESSED SEA CUCUMBERS OF SRI LANKA: Identification Guide
- 1. D.C.T. Dissanayake and G. Nishanthan 2016
- 2. The taxonomy of sea cucumbers is fairly complex and identification of processed sea cucumbers (Bêche-de-mer) to the species level is a challenging task. Therefore, the government officials of Sri Lanka Custom, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Police, Coast Guard and Ministry of Fisheries are frequently facing difficulties when such products are exported, valuated and subjected to other legal procedures. Subsequently, this has led to many problems such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) trade and overexploitation of this valuable marine resource. We produced this booklet in order to overcome the difficulties faced by government officials in identifying sea cucumber species accurately. This booklet is an illustrative guide to identify live and processed forms of 16 commercially exploited sea cucumber species of Sri Lanka. For further information contact : D.C.T. Dissanayake (PhD) Senior Lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. E mail: chamari@sjp.ac.lk Contact: +94 112 758 448 Layout and Design: Mr. G. Nishanthan, Postgraduate Research Student- NRC 15-50 Acknowledgements to Mr. P.A.D. Ajith Kumara, Senior Scientist, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15 and Mr. Y.N. Kasturiarachchi, Manager Export, Suganth International Pvt. Ltd., Colombo 15, Sri Lanka for their valuable support. ISBN : 978-955-0263-07-3 This booklet is a product of research study conducted at the Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura under the financial assistance of National Research Council (Grant No: NRC 15 -50), Sri Lanka
- 3. Introduction 1 Sea cucumbers are members of the Class Holothuroidea of the Phylum Echinodermata. They have a soft, cylindrical body, elongated along an axis from mouth to anus. Around 650 sea cucumber species have been identified in various parts of the world. Sea cucumbers are usually benthic and mainly feed on decaying organic materials. They play an important ecological role in marine ecosystem as suspension feeders, detritivores and prey. In addition, sea cucumber fishing and trading is imperative for many rural coastal communities as the main source of income. Body wall is the main edible part of a sea cucumber and it is consumed either raw or after very simple preparation. Processed body wall of sea cucumbers is known as bêche-de-mer or ‘trepang’ and it is an ideal tonic food in most cultures in the East and Southeast Asia. The market demand for bêche-de-mer mainly depends on species, size, shape, appearance, colour, odour, packing and moisture content. A wealth of potential medicinal compounds have also been extracted from sea cucumbers. Around 16 commercially important sea cucumber species are currently exploited in the coastal waters of Sri Lanka through skin and SCUBA diving. Although sea cucumber fishery has been practiced for several centuries, there is no tradition of consuming sea cucumbers in Sri Lanka.
- 4. 2 The entire production is processed as bêche-de-mer and exported to Singapore, Taiwan and China. As processed sea cucumbers are highly valuable export product of Sri Lanka, thye are frequently subjected for smuggling and illegal trade. Government officials who regulate sea cucumber fishing and trading often face difficulties while identifying sea cucumbers accurately to the species level due to lack of proper identification guides. This booklet summarizes key features of 16 fresh and processed sea cucumber species which are commercially exploited and exported from Sri Lanka. Therefore, we believe this booklet will be useful for fishery managers, scientists, trade officers, law enforcement officials and for all who engage in the sea cucumber fishing industry to identify fresh and processed sea cucumbers to the species level.
- 5. 3 The majority of commercially harvested sea cucumbers of Sri Lanka belong to the order Aspidochirotida. Taxonomic classification and specific characteristic of families and genera of commercial sea cucumbers are given here. Order Aspidochirotida Family Stichopodidae Bohadschia StichopusActinopyga ThelenotaHolothuria Family Holothuriidae Very thick body wall Regularly arranged short podia on ventral surface Ventrally located mouth with 20-30 tentacles Terminal anus with five calcified anal teeth Thin or thick body wall Irregularly arranged ventral podia and 5 groups of papillae Ventrally located mouth with 20-25 tentacles Eject white colour cuvierian tubules (sticky threads) when disturbed Thick or thin body wall Irregularly arranged podia on the dorsal surface and scattered papillae on the ventral surface Ventrally located mouth with a collar of papillae and 20 grey tentacles Terminal anus with a circle of five groups of radial papillae Soft and quadrangular body Thick tubercles and papillae on the body Ventrally located mouth with conical papillae or 18-20 tentacles Terminal anus with or without large papillae Massive sea cucumbers with quadrangular body and thick tegument Flat ventral surface covered with numerous aligned podia Ventrally located mouth with 18-20 tentacles Terminal or sub- dorsal anus
- 6. 4 Key to use this guide External anatomical features of a sea cucumber
- 7. 5 Value : ★ (Low) / ★ ★ (Medium) / ★ ★ ★ (High)
- 8. Actinopyga echinites Deep-water redfish S - ග ොම අට්ටයො T - rhzpal;il 6 • Rough and slightly ridged, dark brown colour, elongated, cylindrical body • Slightly arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface with numerous podia • Ventrally located mouth with 20 stout, brown colour tentacles • Five small yellow conical teeth around the anus
- 9. 7 Value : ★ ★ • Oval shape body with arched dorsal surface, flattened ventral surface and rounded ends • Rough and slightly ridged, dark brown dorsal surface • Light brown, granular ventral surface • Small cut across the anus Actinopygaechinites
- 10. Actinopyga mauritiana Surf redfish S - දුඹුරු ල් අට්ටයො T - ghwl;il 8 • Stout cylindrical body with slightly arched, wrinkled dorsal surface, flattened ventral surface and mildly tapered ends • Brown to reddish colour dorsal surface with white patches • Cream to light brown ventral surface • Ventrally located mouth with 25 short and stout brown colour tentacles • Five small whitish teeth around the anus
- 11. 9 Actinopygamauritiana • Elongated oval shape body with arched dorsal surface and moderately flattened ventral surface • Dark brown colour dorsal surface with white spots and numerous small groves • Cream to light brown, granular ventral surface • Small cut on the ventral surface Value : ★ ★
- 12. Actinopyga miliaris Hairy blackfish S - කළු ල් අට්ටයො T - ghwl;il 10 • Uniformly black, stout cylindrical body • Slightly arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface • Ventrally located mouth with 20 stout, black colour tentacles • Five small yellow conical teeth around the anus
- 13. 11 Actinopygamiliaris • Roughly oval shape body with slightly arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface • Uniformly black, smooth dorsal and ventral surfaces • Small cut across the anus Value : ★ ★
- 14. Bohadschia marmorata Brown-spotted sandfish S - දුඹුරු නූල් අට්ටයො T - fUg;G E}yl;il 12 • Cylindrical body with flattened ventral surface and mildly tapered ends • Brown colour dorsal surface with dark brown blotches • Cream to light brown colour ventral surface with long slender podia • Dorsally located large anus • Eject white sticky cuvierian tubules when disturbed
- 15. 13 Bohadschiamarmorata • Ventrally flattened narrow cylindrical body • Dark brown to black colour dorsal surface with groves • Cream to light brown colour ventral surface • Small cut across the anus Value : ★
- 16. Bohadschia sp. (Unknown) Not yet Named S - සුදු නූල් අට්ටයො T - nts;is E}yl;il 14 • Cylindrical body with flattened ventral surface and mildly tapered ends • Light brown colour dorsal surface with dark brown blotches • Cream to white colour ventral surface • Dorsally located large anus • Eject white sticky cuvierian tubules when disturbed
- 17. 15 Bohadschiasp.(Unknown) • Ventrally flattened, narrow, cylindrical body • Light brown colour dorsal surface with dark brown blotches • Cream to white colour ventral surface • Small cut across the anus Value : ★
- 18. Bohadschia vitiensis Brown sandfish S - කිරි නූල් අට්ටයො T - gPE}yl;il 16 • Stout cylindrical body with arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface • Yellow to brown colour dorsal surface with numerous brown spots • Cream to white colour ventral surface with a centrally located grove • Ventrally located mouth with 20 short, yellow colour tentacles • Sub dorsally located large anus • Eject white sticky cuvierian tubules when disturbed
- 19. 17 Bohadschiavitiensis • Cylindrical body with arched dorsal surface and moderately flattened ventral surface • Brown to brown-black colour dorsal surface • Cream to white colour ventral surface with a centrally located grove • Small cut across the anus Value : ★
- 20. Holothuria atra Lollyfish S - නරි අට්ටයො T - eupal;il 18 • Uniformly black, elongated cylindrical body with rounded ends • Ventrally located mouth with black colour tentacles • No teeth or papillae around the anus • Live specimens secrete red fluids when they are handled
- 21. 19 Holothuriaatra • Narrow cylindrical body with rounded ends • Black colour dorsal and ventral surfaces • Very smooth body but transverse wrinkles in large specimens • Small cut across the anus or occasionally, no cut Value : ★
- 22. Holothuria fuscogilva White teatfish S - ප්රීමො අට්ටයො T - gpupkh ml;il 20 • Sub-oval, stout, firm and rigid body • Arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface • Light brown colour dorsal surface with beige or white blotches along the lateral sides • Grey to brown colour ventral surface • 6 - 8 lateral protrusions (teat /papillae) • Ventrally located mouth with 20 stout, grey colour tentacles • Inconspicuous calcareous teeth around the yellow colour anus
- 23. 21 Holothuriafuscogilva • Flat and stout body with distinct teats along sides • Body with different shades of grey-brown colour • Slightly wrinkled, smooth body • Single cut in the middle of dorsal body surface Value : ★ ★ ★
- 24. Holothuria nobilis Black teatfish S - ග ොළඟො අට්ටයො T - nghyq;fh ml;il 22 • Sub-oval, stout, very firm and rigid body • Arched dorsal surface and strongly flattened ventral surface • Dark brown colour dorsal surface with distinct light brown to orange lateral patches • Grey to brown colour ventral surface • 6 - 8 lateral protrusions (teat /papillae) • Ventrally located mouth with 20 stout tentacles • Five small calcareous teeth around the anus
- 25. 23 Holothurianobilis • Flat and stout body with distinct teats along sides • Slightly wrinkled, smooth body • Grey to brown colour dorsal surface with distinct dark patches • Dirty grey colour ventral surface • Single cut in the middle of dorsal body surface Value : ★ ★ ★
- 26. Holothuria sp 1. (type ‘Pentard’) Flower teatfish S - ප්රීමො බතික් අට්ටයො T - gpupkh gjpf; ml;il 24 • Stout, firm and rigid body • Arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface • Dark brown dorsal surface mottled with cream colour, irregular shape blotches • Grey to brown colour ventral surface • 6 - 8 lateral protrusions (teat /papillae)
- 27. 25 Holothuriasp1.(type‘Pentard’) • Flat and stout body with distinct teats along sides • Slightly wrinkled smooth body • Dark brown dorsal surface mottled with light colour, irregular shape blotches • Grey colour ventral surface • Single cut in the middle of dorsal body surface Value : ★ ★ ★
- 28. Holothuria scabra Sandfish S - ජැෆ්නො අට්ටයො T - nts;sl;il 26 • Oval body with arched dorsal surface and moderately flattened ventral surface • Dark grey to black colour dorsal surface with white or yellow transverse stripes • White or light grey colour ventral surface with fine black dots • Ventrally located mouth with 20 small grey colour tentacles • No calcareous teeth around the anus
- 29. 27 Holothuriascabra • Cylindrical body with bluntly curved ends • Black colour dorsal surface with deep transverse wrinkles • Light brown colour ventral surface • Small cut across the anus Value : ★ ★ ★
- 30. Holothuria spinifera Brownfish S - ඩිස්ගකෝ අට්ටයො / වැලි අට්ටයො T - b];Nfh ml;il 28 • Cylindrical body with numerous, small, sharp, projections • Brown colour dorsal surface • Light brown colour ventral surface • Ventrally located mouth with 20 small tentacles
- 31. 29 Holothuriaspinifera • Cylindrical body with rounded ends • Light brown colour rough dorsal surface • Light brown colour smooth ventral surface • Small cut across the anus or occasionally, no cut Value : ★
- 32. Stichopus chloronotus Greenfish S - දඹල අට්ටයො T - jk;gsh ml;il 30 • Ventrally flattened, firm and rigid body • Dark green to black colour body • Rows of long, conical papillae with yellow tips on both sides of the dorsal surface and along lower lateral margins of the body • Ventrally located mouth with 20 stout, white or grey colour tentacles • Five large papillae around the anus
- 33. 31 Stichopuschloronotus • Moderately elongated dark black to brown colour body • Four edges of the body is covered with pointed wart-like projections • No cuts or small cut across the anus • Small and regularly arranged ventral podia Value : ★
- 34. Stichopus naso Selenka’s sea cucumber S - ොවක්කො අට්ටයො T - Ks;sl;il 32 • Slightly arched dorsal surface with squat, wart like papillae • Yellowish- tan colour dorsal surface mottled with light brown • Numerous large podia in ventral surface arranged in longitudinal rows • A brown central longitudinal band runs between the rows of podia • Tips of podia and dorsal papillae are dark brown • Ventrally located mouth with 18 - 20 tentacles • No papillae around the anus
- 35. 33 Stichopusnaso • Slender and quadrangular body • Uniformly brown body colour • Wart-like bumps on dorsal surface and prominent lateral papillae on ventral margin • Large and irregularly arranged ventral podia • No cuts or small cut across the anus Value : ★
- 36. Thelenota ananas Prickly redfish S - අන්නොසි අට්ටයො T - md;dhrp ml;il 34 • Firm and rigid body with slightly arched dorsal surface and flattened ventral surface • Reddish to brown colour dorsal surface with very long, conical shaped, slightly branched large papillae • Light pink to red colour ventral surface with brown to pink podia • Ventrally located mouth with 20 large brown tentacles and conical papillae • Large papillae around the anus
- 37. 35 Thelenotaananas • Brown to black colour elongated body • Numerous brown to black spikes on dorsal surface • Light brown, granular ventral surface • A cut along the ventral surface Value : ★
- 38. Thelenota anax Amber fish S - පූනො අට්ටයො T - ©id ml;il 36 • Firm and rigid body with flat ventral surface • Cream colour dorsal surface with large beige spots, blotches and numerous light colour wart-like bumps • A row of large papillae demarcated dorsal surface from ventral surface • Ventrally located mouth with 18 – 20 tentacles • Terminal anus covered by large papillae
- 39. 37 Thelenotaanax • Variously shaded light brown body • Rough dorsal surface with wart like bumps • Grainy ventral surface • A small cut across the anus Value : ★ ★
- 40. Copyright : USJP and NRC 15-050, 2016