Prof. Dr. Gustav Paulay, USA
Info
Walter K. Fisher's first description of Holothuria hawaiiensis was followed by a long period in which Holothuria (Stauropora) hawaiiensis was thought to be endemic to Hawaii.
Over time, however, this classification had to be revised, as the species was found to occur in a large number of locations, even as far away as the Red Sea.
Holothuria (Stauropora) hawaiiensis is often found under stones and in crevices, the base color of the sea cucumber is a light olive brown with more or less pronounced marbling.
There are only a few recent scientific reports on this species, and these indicate quite unusual, significant size differences that cannot be explained at first:
IUCN Red List: 4 - 6cm
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/180451/1632202
SeaLifeBase: 12cm
https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Holothuria-hawaiiensis.html
ResearchGate: between 15.5 cm & 43.5 cm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344405534_Ecological_observations_on_the_abundance_distribution_of_Holothuroids_Echinodermata_Holothuroidea_in_the_Red_Sea_coast_Egypt
We will try to verify these data.
Sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae possess, exceptions confirm the rule, so-called Cuvier's tubes (named after the French naturalist Georges Cuvier, * August 23, 1769 † May 13, 1832).
These are long, thin tubes that are located on the rectum of the echinoderms and are flung towards potential predators for defense.
These released tubes form a sticky, tough and stretchy network in which fish, crustaceans or other prey predators can become entangled.
The adhesives may also contain toxins (holothurin).
Sea cucumbers are the vacuum cleaners of the oceans, continuously cleaning the sea floors, so it may be useful for aquarists to keep one or more sea cucumbers in the aquarium to avoid detritus rich zones.
Problem:
Many sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae can release their venom into the aquarium water when they are in danger or dying, corals are mostly not harmed by the venom, but fish usually die.
Holothurins can cause severe, burning pain when in contact with the skin and irritation and even blindness when in contact with the eyes. When ingested systemically, the toxins can cause paralysis, muscle spasms, and discomfort in the digestive system, and in larger quantities, death by respiratory paralysis.
Since sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries, the Cuvier's tubes containing the toxins must be removed before preparation or consumption.
Synonym: Holothuria hawaiiensis Fisher, 1907
Over time, however, this classification had to be revised, as the species was found to occur in a large number of locations, even as far away as the Red Sea.
Holothuria (Stauropora) hawaiiensis is often found under stones and in crevices, the base color of the sea cucumber is a light olive brown with more or less pronounced marbling.
There are only a few recent scientific reports on this species, and these indicate quite unusual, significant size differences that cannot be explained at first:
IUCN Red List: 4 - 6cm
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/180451/1632202
SeaLifeBase: 12cm
https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Holothuria-hawaiiensis.html
ResearchGate: between 15.5 cm & 43.5 cm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344405534_Ecological_observations_on_the_abundance_distribution_of_Holothuroids_Echinodermata_Holothuroidea_in_the_Red_Sea_coast_Egypt
We will try to verify these data.
Sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae possess, exceptions confirm the rule, so-called Cuvier's tubes (named after the French naturalist Georges Cuvier, * August 23, 1769 † May 13, 1832).
These are long, thin tubes that are located on the rectum of the echinoderms and are flung towards potential predators for defense.
These released tubes form a sticky, tough and stretchy network in which fish, crustaceans or other prey predators can become entangled.
The adhesives may also contain toxins (holothurin).
Sea cucumbers are the vacuum cleaners of the oceans, continuously cleaning the sea floors, so it may be useful for aquarists to keep one or more sea cucumbers in the aquarium to avoid detritus rich zones.
Problem:
Many sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae can release their venom into the aquarium water when they are in danger or dying, corals are mostly not harmed by the venom, but fish usually die.
Holothurins can cause severe, burning pain when in contact with the skin and irritation and even blindness when in contact with the eyes. When ingested systemically, the toxins can cause paralysis, muscle spasms, and discomfort in the digestive system, and in larger quantities, death by respiratory paralysis.
Since sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries, the Cuvier's tubes containing the toxins must be removed before preparation or consumption.
Synonym: Holothuria hawaiiensis Fisher, 1907
