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<p>During a late‑afternoon dive at Gun Beach, Guam, Mariana Islands, on 24 May 2025, three sea cucumber species, <i>Actinopyga varians</i> (Selenka, 1867), <i>Pearsonothuria graeffei</i> (Semper, 1868), and <i>Thelenota ananas</i> (Jaeger, 1833), were observed releasing gametes between 2 and 15&#xa0;m depth. <i>Actinopyga varians</i> individuals were observed releasing sperm within 1&#xa0;m of each other. Two <i>Holothuria atra</i> Jaeger, 1833, individuals at 42&#xa0;m displayed characteristic erect postures consistent with imminent spawning. Holothuroid spawning is rarely reported in situ, and this is the first record of a synchronous, multi‑species sea cucumber spawning event for the Mariana Islands. These observations indicate that environmental and/or chemical cues such as lunar phase, tides, temperature, photoperiod, and conspecific proximity mediate synchronous gamete release across species. All four taxa observed are commercially valuable species, and <i>T. ananas</i> is listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This report underscores the need to incorporate reproductive timing into management (e.g., seasonal closures) and to encourage systematic reporting of spawning events from marine protected areas.</p>

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First record of multi-species synchronized sea cucumber spawning in the Mariana Islands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月11日

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  • Yara Tibiriçá,
  • Daniel Eisenhauer,
  • David Burdick,
  • Robert M. Lasley Jr.

摘要

During a late‑afternoon dive at Gun Beach, Guam, Mariana Islands, on 24 May 2025, three sea cucumber species, Actinopyga varians (Selenka, 1867), Pearsonothuria graeffei (Semper, 1868), and Thelenota ananas (Jaeger, 1833), were observed releasing gametes between 2 and 15 m depth. Actinopyga varians individuals were observed releasing sperm within 1 m of each other. Two Holothuria atra Jaeger, 1833, individuals at 42 m displayed characteristic erect postures consistent with imminent spawning. Holothuroid spawning is rarely reported in situ, and this is the first record of a synchronous, multi‑species sea cucumber spawning event for the Mariana Islands. These observations indicate that environmental and/or chemical cues such as lunar phase, tides, temperature, photoperiod, and conspecific proximity mediate synchronous gamete release across species. All four taxa observed are commercially valuable species, and T. ananas is listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This report underscores the need to incorporate reproductive timing into management (e.g., seasonal closures) and to encourage systematic reporting of spawning events from marine protected areas.