Reproductive biology of Holothuria (Roweothuria) poli (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) from Oran Bay, Algeria

Abstract

Our study is a first contribution of the reproductive biology of the aspidochirotid sea cucumber Holothuria (Roweothuria) poli at Kristel Bay at Ain Franine in Oran Province, Algeria. Sampling was conducted on 305 individuals (129 males, 131 females and 45 of indeterminate sex) from October 2016 to September 2017. Five macroscopic and microscopic sexual maturity stages have been identified in the gonadal tubules: recovery (I), growing (II), early mature (III), mature (IV) and spent (V). Also, the size at first sexual maturity within the entire population is 135 mm. Our results show that the maturation of the gonads (stages III and IV) occurs from March until May. From May to July, the entire sampled population is at full sexual maturity, and it is only in July that spawning begins, which extends up to September. The period of nonreproductive activity is between October and November.