Molecular Analyses for Identification of Illegally Exploited and Traded Species of Sea Cucumbers (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) in Brazil

• Grant number: 24/01575-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Utsunomia
• Grantee: Auany Camila Fantinelli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The identification of species through molecular tools such as COI (Cytochrome Oxidase I) is extremely important when the morphology of the organism is not sufficient for its identification. Sea cucumbers belong to the phylum Echinodermata and the class Holothuroidea, representing one of the most important marine resources among invertebrates, having great ecological importance, as they are benthic and detritivores, contributing to the recycling of nutrients. In the Asian region, sea cucumbers stand out as one of the most significant marine products, fetching remarkably high prices. The fact that consumption of this resource is almost non-existent in Brazil does not negate the occurrence of illegal fishing of these animals for export, mainly for the Asian market. As it is not properly declared and regulated, this fishing practice may endanger wild populations of these animals, causing a reduction in their population density and even local extinction. This practice was reported a few times by IBAMA at São Paulo International Airport, where the specimens were completely dry and identification by experts was hampered. In this sense, the present project aims to identify how many and which species of sea cucumbers are being exported illegally, using the DNA barcode technique.