First Record of Lamperts' Sea Cucumber (Synaptula Lamperti) in Northern Coast, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Most sea cucumber species which are found all over the world are classified under high valuable species because of their commercial value. Apart from their commercial value those adorable creatures have great biological value. Synaptula lamperti also known as lamperts' sea cucumber comes under the Synaptidae family are still under awaiting to identification or less concern. However, in Sri Lanka there were few studies conducted to identify Holothurians. Therefore, this will be highly valued study to increase the biodiversity of Holothurians in Sri Lanka. Specimens were collected by snorkeling from muddy sea beds which are covered by sea grasses and sponges on the west coast of Northern Province of Sri Lanka, near the Valarmadi and Pallikuda fishing harbors at depth of 1-3m. Lengths of the individuals were measured using measuring tape. Collected samples were deposited in glass containers in live form and used to examine morphological features using hand lens. Identifications were accomplished with valid key of referred resources. They appear seasonally in Sri Lankan waters and seen draped around sponges, entangled around sea grasses and seaweeds as well. They basically live as groups that were included five (05) to twelve (12) individuals which covering the mature juvenile and adults. The total length of the body including the tentacle length were ranged from 80mm to 200mm and 6mm to 11mm in width. The elongated fragile body with rough sticky skin were stretched up to 180mm-430mm. Semi transculant opaque white body wall with reddish purple longitudinal thin strips along anteroposterior axis and which made up by tiny dashes were identified. Cylindrical and watery body were covered by a thin fragile skin. Bubbles like bumps formations along four rows of the body as observed when they alter their position. External manifestation of tube feets were not seen but whole-body wall was covered by rows of tiny structures that are project through the skin which helps to attach to the substrates and for locomotion. Well-developed set of feathers like feeding tentacles with strips were observed. Rhythmic and constant movements of these short tentacles were supported to move food materials into their mouth cavity. Few surveys have been done throughout the Sri Lankan waters but have not been reported about this species until now. Thus this is the first report to describe the of Synaptula.lamperti which is found from the Sri Lankan waters.

Full text

375
International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2020
First Record of Lamperts’ Sea Cucumber
(Synaptula Lamperti) in Northern Coast, Sri Lanka
Herath H M T B1, Hewage H H P2, Nirooparaj B3, Senanayake S A M A I K4
Ocean University of Sri Lanka1,2, Coastal Aquaculture Extension and Monitoring Unit,
National Aquaculture Development Authority3, Department of Zoology,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura4
tharindutext90@gmail.com, hashan.piyumal.hewage@gmail.com,
nirooparajb@gmail.com, indunil@sci.sjp.ac.lk4
Abstract
Most sea cucumber species which are found all over the world are classied
under high valuable species because of their commercial value. Apart from their
commercial value those adorable creatures have great biological value. Synaptula
lamperti also known as lamperts’ sea cucumber comes under the Synaptidae family
are still under awaiting to identication or less concern. However, in Sri Lanka there
were few studies conducted to identify Holothurians. Therefore, this will be highly
valued study to increase the biodiversity of Holothurians in Sri Lanka. Specimens
were collected by snorkeling from muddy sea beds which are covered by sea
grasses and sponges on the west coast of Northern Province of Sri Lanka, near the
Valarmadi and Pallikuda shing harbors at depth of 1-3m. Lengths of the individuals
were measured using measuring tape. Collected samples were deposited in glass
containers in live form and used to examine morphological features using hand lens.
Identications were accomplished with valid key of referred resources. They appear
seasonally in Sri Lankan waters and seen draped around sponges, entangled
around sea grasses and seaweeds as well. They basically live as groups that were
included ve (05) to twelve (12) individuals which covering the mature juvenile and
adults. The total length of the body including the tentacle length were ranged from
80mm to 200mm and 6mm to 11mm in width. The elongated fragile body with rough
sticky skin were stretched up to 180mm- 430mm. Semi transculant opaque white
body wall with reddish purple longitudinal thin strips along anteroposterior axis and
which made up by tiny dashes were identied. Cylindrical and watery body were
covered by a thin fragile skin. Bubbles like bumps formations along four rows of the
body as observed when they alter their position. External manifestation of tube feets
were not seen but whole-body wall was covered by rows of tiny structures that are
project through the skin which helps to attach to the substrates and for locomotion.
Well-developed set of feathers like feeding tentacles with strips were observed.
Rhythmic and constant movements of these short tentacles were supported to move
food materials into their mouth cavity. Few surveys have been done throughout the
Sri Lankan waters but have not been reported about this species until now. Thus
this is the rst report to describe the of Synaptula.lamperti which is found from the
Sri Lankan waters.
Keywords
Sea cucumbers, Synaptula sp., First record, Northern coast

376
Executive Summery
1. Introduction
Most sea cucumber species which are found all over the world are classied under
high valuable species because of their commercial value. There was no record in Sri
Lanka related to consumption of sea cucumbers and the whole production is currently
exported (Dissanayake and Athukoral, 2009). Synaptula lamperti (Heding, 1928)
also known as Lamperts’ sea cucumber comes under the Synaptidae family are still
under awaiting to identication or less concern (http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.
php?p=taxdetails&id=242070). This species lives in the benthic areas up to the 0-35m
(Lane et al., 2001). Lamperts’ sea cucumbers distribute along the Indo-West Pacic
region. However, in Sri Lanka there were few studies were conducted to identify
Holothurians. Therefore, this will be highly valued study to increase the biodiversity of
Holothurians in Sri Lanka.
2. Methodology
Specimens were collected by snorkeling from muddy sea beds which are covered by
sea grasses and sponges on the west coast of Northern Province of Sri Lanka, near the
Valarmadi and Pallikuda shing harbors at depth of 1-3m. This study was conducted
from February 2020 to June 2020. Lengths were measured using measuring tape.
Water quality parameters were checked in those areas and same water lled with a
clean glass tanks and were provided with same situations to study the morphological
and behavioral features of the newly found sea cucumber species. Collected samples
were deposited in glass containers in live form and used to exam under hand lens at
10· magnication. Visual observation method was used to identify the morphological
features. Identications were accomplished with valid keys of the referred resources.
3. Results and Discussion
The morphological features were used to identify the sea cucumber species. According
to the information gathered from local communities and observations in selected study
period, this species was appeared seasonally in Sri Lankan waters and seen draped
around sponges, entangled around sea grasses and seaweeds as well.
They basically live as groups that were included ve (5) to twelve (12) individuals which
covering the mature juvenile and adults. All individuals were found in depth between 1 to
3m benthic regions in the study area. However, this species was not found in observed
dead corals cover areas. They have semi transculant opaque white body wall with
reddish purple longitudinal thin strips along anteroposterior (AP) axis which made up by
tiny dashes (Figure 3.1). Cylindrical and watery body was covered by a thin fragile skin
(Figure 3.2). Bubbles like bumps formations along four rows of the body as observed
when they alter their position. External manifestation of tube feets were not seen but
whole-body wall was covered by rows of tiny structures that are project through the skin
which helps to attach to the substrates and for locomotion.

377
International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2020
The total length of the body including the tentacle length were ranged from 80mm to
200mm and 6mm to 11mm in width. They can stretch the body up to 180mm– 430mm
in length Well developed set of feather like feeding tentacles with strips were observed
(Figure 3.3). Rhythmic and constant moves of these short tentacles were helped to
move food materials into their mouth cavity. Elongated fragile body with rough sticky
skin.They show nocturnal behavior, it means that they feed at night. They suddenly
active and in nighttime they propelling themselves with series of waves and subsequent
contractions with performing bubble-like formation series along four rows of their AP
axis. These movements are facilitated by the adhesions derives from their rough skin
and hydrostatic pressure created by their body.
Clark and Rome (1971) revealed that there were four species belongs to synaptula genes
existing their study areas near to Ceylon. Fernando (2006) and Kumara et al (2005)
cited the Clark and Rome (1971) list of synaptua species. However, there was no any

378
evidence that the synaptula sp. were recorded in Sri Lanka in last three decades. Few
surveys have been done throughout the Northern Provincial waters but have not been
reported about this species until now. Thus this is the rst report to describe S.lamperti
which is found from the Sri Lankan waters. Further, identication process is being carried
out using the spicules.
Kingdome - Animalia
Phylum - Echinodermata
Class - Holothuroidea
Order - Apodida
Family - Synaptidae
Genus - Synaptula
Species-Synaptula lamperti - Heding 1928
Conclusion
The collected specimens are identied as Synaptula lamperti which is the rst record in
Sri Lanka.
References
Clark, A.M. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1971. Monograph of shallow-water Indo-West Pacic
echinoderms: i-vii, 1-238, pls 1-31. London, Trustees of the British Museum
Conand C. 1998. Holothurians. p. 1157–1190. In: Carpenter K. and Niem V. (eds). FAO
species identication guide. The marine living resources of the Western Central Pacic.
Vol. 2 cephalopods, crustaceans, holothurians and sharks. FAO. Rome
Dissanayake, D.C.T. and Athukorala, S., 2009. Status and management of sea
cucumber shery in Sri Lanka. Final project report (FAO, CIDA and IFAD).
Fernando, M., 2006. Coral associated invertebrates: An overview of the current
taxonomic status. The Fauna of Sri Lanka, IUCN-World Conservation Union, pp.259-
273.
Kumara, P.B.T.P., Cumaranathunga, P.R.T. and Linden, O., 2005. Present status of the
sea cucumber shery in southern Sri Lanka: A resource depleted industry. SPC Beche-
de-mer information bulletin, 22, pp.24-29.
Lane, D.J., Marsh, L.M., VandenSpiegel, D. and Rowe, F.W., 2001. Echinoderm fauna
of the South China Sea: an inventory and analysis of distribution patterns. Raes
Bulletin of Zoology, 48, pp.459-494.
Massin, C., 1999. Reef-dwelling Holothuroidea (Echinodermata) of the Spermonde
archipelago (south-west Sulawesi, Indonesia). Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum.
World Register of Marine Species. (2011) Synaptula lamperti Heding, 1928. Retrieved
July 27, 2011 (http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=242070
Atlas of Living Australia Synaptula lamperti Heding, 1928 (https://bie.ala.org.
au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:dc725ce0-d808-4f1b-b104-
0ae9b4d6c821#overview)