Morphological characterization of selected Pulau Perhentian sea cucumbers
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Date
2005-04
Authors
Ariffin, Siti Fatihah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Introduction: Sea cucumber is a marine invertebrate that is closely related to
the starfish and sea urchins. There are about 2,000 species of sea cucumbers
found everywhere including the deep sea. In Asia, sea cucumber is known as
Stichopus spp. which known as 'gamat' in Malaysia. Besides it, common
species in North America and Europe are Cucumaria, Ho/othuria, Thyone and
Leptosynapta (Barnes, 1991). The interest of this marine animal either their
extracts or bodily is to really define the morphological of sea cucumber that
found in Pulau Perhentian. Geographical and biodiversity is important factor to
properly identified specific species that is really having potential value in local
delicious, medical importance and Obstetric & Genocology.
Aim and purpose of the study: This study was designed to clarify and
characterized the selected Pulau Perhentian sea cucumber by examined their
external and internal morphology. The aim to clearly identify each sample
taxonomy and anatomy for further future work in pharmacologic effects of their
tissue extract.
Material and methodology: The sample was harvested at Pulau Perhentian
and the morphological study was based on observation using stereomicrograph,
light microscope and scanning electron microscope.
Result and discussion: There seem to exist in a variable difference in the
external and internal morphology at from each specimen observed. The
orientation and density of the 'mutable' collagens was in different histological
feature especially when comparing at the mouth and its anus. There are highly
suggestive present of ossicles and morula cells at the tissue and integument of
sample A.
Conclusion: Specimen A was highly suggestive as Cucumaria frondosa which
reported only found in North America, changes in global climate may not make
its finding in Asia impossible.
Description
Keywords
Sea cucumber