Synchronized organogenesis and fragment-specific behavioral recovery in Stichopus chloronotus inform artificial asexual culture and resource restoration of fissiparous sea cucumbers
摘要
Artificial asexual reproduction through transverse fission offers a promising opportunity to investigate whole-body regeneration and its implications in sustainable aquaculture management and resource restoration of fissiparous sea cucumbers. We induced fission in Stichopus chloronotus and characterized its organogenesis and behavioral recovery to evaluate the potential for controlled asexual propagation and aquaculture application. Fission generated anterior (A) and posterior (P) fragments with distinct anatomical structures. Both A and P fragments regenerated major organ systems within nine weeks through a conserved sequence of wound healing, intestinal reconnection, visceral redevelopment, formation of the aquapharyngeal and cloacal complexes and growth. We further propose a corresponding universal five-stage regeneration pattern, comprising the wound healing (WHS), early (ERS), mid- (MRS), late (LRS) and growth (GS) stages, for fissiparous holothurians. Behaviorally, fission imposed reversible locomotor suppression and disrupted diel activity pattern, while righting and adhesion abilities remained relatively stable. A fragments displayed better locomotion and righting ability than P ones, likely owing to advantages in structural retention and energy availability, although this asymmetry disappeared during the GS. Fragment-specific behavioral response and recovery dynamics reflected locomotor behavioral cost and energy reallocation associated with regeneration during asexual reproduction. S. chloronotus can be a tractable model for studying asexual reproduction. Regeneration staging system and behavioral recovery pattern provide a practical basis and a biologically informed foundation for interspecific comparative studies and artificial asexual reproduction development of fissiparous holothurians.