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Isostichopus fuscus, commonly known as the brown sea cucumber, is a species of

This species is found in the Pacific Coast of Mexico, including the Gulf of Mexico, and down through Central America to South America as far as the northern coast of Peru, as well as in eastern Pacific islands, including the Galápagos.^[1][2] They are found in shallow waters, roughly 0 to 40 m deep and typically reside on coral and rocky or hard substrates. The species tends to be more active at night as during the daytime they are cryptic and being active would make them more visible to predators.^[4][5]

Morphology

The brown sea cucumber are quite small organisms, with average body length and weight being 23 cm and 386 g respectively.^[6] The species grows allometrically, meaning that increases with body length are also associated with increases in weight.^[6] The brown sea cucumber has an elongated body and can be described as having a soft or gelatinous texture^[3]. Their general body shape is curved, similar to a half circle, and they have a dark brown coloration and are spotted with orange papillae^[3]. They have ambulacral extensions on their underside which are used to help with locomotion.^[3]

Typically, the brown sea cucumber is a brown color, as evident by its name. However, in 2013, the first ever record of albinism was discovered in the brown sea cucumber.^[7] Two albino individuals were found: one in Loreto, Mexico and the other in the Los Angeles Bay.^[7]

Reproductive Cycle

The reproductive cycle of the brown sea cucumber consists of five gonadal stages: underdetermined, gametogenesis, maturity, spawning and post-spawning. The species moves through these 5 stages on an annual cycle. In the undetermined stage, no gametes or gonads are observed in the individuals, and therefore are sexually viable. The following four stages are different among males and females.^[8]

In males, the gametogenesis stage is called spermatogenesis, and is when there is a build up of sperm in the gonads. The next stage, maturity, is when the follicles of the gonads are filled with multiple layers of mature sperm. Spawning is when the individuals have mated and therefore the follicles in the gonads are empty due to the sperm being released. Spawning in brown sea cucumbers occurs throughout the summer months. Finally, in post spawning, the gonads are engulfed by phagocytes, therefore ending a single reproductive cycle in males.^[8]

In females, the gametogenesis stage is called oogenesis, and is when the oocytes are young and in the process of developing. In the maturity stage, the oocytes are mature and have reached their maximum size. During the spawning stage, there is a decrease in the number of oocytes and an absence of gametes due to spawning. Lastly, in post spawning, phagocytes are involved in reducing the number of gonads present, thus ending the reproductive cycle in females.^[8]

Fisheries and Uses

The brown sea cucumber is a highly sought out commodity in many North and South American countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica and Ecuador.^[9] It is also seen as the most important fishing activity in the Galápagos Islands. As it is such a common item in the fisheries of these countries, overfishing and overexploitation of the brown sea cucumber is a huge problem. Due to the endangered state of the brown sea cucumber, the Galápagos Marine Reserve and all major stakeholders took it upon themselves to monitor the population in the Galápagos twice a year between 1999 and 2003 in order to determine the impact of the fisheries and any possible solutions for it.^[9] The lowest total density of the population was seen following the 2003 fishing season, and due to this ultimate low, the recovery of the brown sea cucumber population is seen as unlikely due to both the legal and illegal fishing of them.^[9]

Sea cucumbers are typically used in traditional Chinese medicines as well as in many Asian and South American cuisines. Like most other holothurians, the brown sea cucumber is a very nutritional food source. It is high in protein, low in fat and contains many amino acids necessary for keeping us healthy.^[10] It is often combined with other ingredients in soups and stews and more recently, dried sea cucumber is made into tablets and has been marketed as a nutritional supplement.^[10]

Due to the unsustainable fisheries pertaining to this species as well as its high demand in many Asian and South American cuisines, it has ultimately caused a decline in not just Isostichopus fuscus, but many holothurian populations.^[4]

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