The gonadosomatic index of sobaity Sparidentex hasta fits well with the natural spawning season of February-March. At 12 and 24 months all the population matured as males. However, during this time, between April-September intersex gonads were seen. From October of the third year of life, females were seen for the first time. These changes in the histology of the gonads were correlated with the hormonal profile. Testosterone showed no significant correlation with sex but 11-ketotestosterone correlated very well with the mature male gonads and thus can be used for sexing. Oestradiol-17 was higher in sex reversed individuals (females) in the spawning season than in males. The sequence of events in the protandrous sex change of this fish during the first two spawning seasons is male
Proximate and fatty acid composition of wild silver pomfrets, Pampus argenteus, were studied in Kuwait waters for a period of 1 year (to see whether there were any seasonal compositional differences between males and females. Ten adults (five males, five females) were sampled each month during (i) Pre-spawning (March-May), (ii) Spawning (June-August), (iii) Post-spawning (SeptemberNovember), and (iv) Winter (December-February). Both sexes had significantly (P < 0.05) higher whole body moisture and lower crude protein and lipid contents in winter compared to the respective males and females sampled in other seasons. However, females had significantly higher (9.1%) lipid content during the pre-spawning season than females in other seasons (7.0-8.2%). The most abundant fatty acid in whole body lipid in both sexes was C16 followed by C18:1n-9, which accounted for about 31-35% and 22-24% of total lipids, respectively. Males in the pre-spawning and spawning seasons had significantly higher total monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than males and females in post-spawning and winter. Males had significantly higher total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) during post-spawning seasons than females in pre-spawning and winter seasons. However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in total saturated fatty acids (SFA), PUFA, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) or n-3 ⁄ n-6 ratios between respective males and females in different seasons. Livers in males had significantly (P < 0.05) higher MUFA, SFA, PUFA, EPA and DHA than respective females in all months during the spawning season. Female gonads had significantly (P < 0.05) higher MUFA and PUFA but lower SFA content than males in different months during the spawning season. In contrast to the liver, the gonad DHA content and n-3 ⁄ n-6 ratios in females were significantly higher than in males. The gonads from both sexes contained more than double the amount of EPA present in liver; in the case of DHA this was more than three-fold higher in female gonads, but not in males. Thus, the presence of higher proportions of PUFA, EPA and DHA in gonads, particularly in eggs of silver pomfret, indicates their need for these fatty acids, which may be used as a guideline for dietary essential n-3 fatty acid requirements for feed formulation of this species. A higher content of DHA in eggs also indicates the higher requirement for DHA in the broodstock diet of silver pomfret.
Sea cucumbers are benthic marine invertebrates with immense ecological and commercial value. Processed sea cucumbers known as “
Beche-de-mer
” are a delicacy in southeast Asian countries with an ever-increasing demand depleting wild stocks on a global scale. Aquaculture techniques are well developed for commercially important species (e.g.
Holothuria scabra
) to aid in conservation and trade. In the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, where the major land mass is surrounded by marginal seas (Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea), studies on sea cucumbers are rather limited and its economic value is underestimated. Historical and current research trends indicate impoverished diversity (82 species) due to environmental extremes. Artisanal fisheries exist for the sea cucumbers of Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, with Yemen and United Arab Emirates (UAE) playing a key role in collection and export to Asian countries. Stock assessment and data on export indicates depletion of natural stocks in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Aquaculture trials of high value species (
H
.
scabra
) were successful in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran with prospects for further expansion. Research on ecotoxicological properties and bioactive substances conducted in Iran demonstrates an immense research potential. Molecular phylogeny, biology, use in bioremediation, and characterisation of bioactive compounds were identified as potential gaps in research. Expanding aquaculture operations could revive exports and recuperate damaged stocks through sea ranching. Furthermore, regional cooperation, networking, training, and capacity building could help fill the gaps in sea cucumber research, which will aid in its effective conservation and management.
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