The structure of Calcareous Rings in Stichopus hermanni Semper and Holothuria atra Jaeger

Authors

  • Hawa Ismail Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Ng S.K. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Hing H.L. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Normalawati Shamsudin Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Ridzwan Hashim International Islamic University Malaysia

Keywords:

Holothuria atra Jaeger, Stichopus hermanni Semper, sea cucumber, calcareous rings, scanning electron microscope.

Abstract

The calcareous rings of two species of local sea cucumbers, Stichopus hermanni Semper and Holothuria atra Jaeger, were located, dissected, exposed and recorded. The calcareous rings of both species each composed of ten plates knit together by connective tissues. The radial plate of H. atra was a square with a notch at the anterior part whereas in S. hermanni it was squarish consisting of 4 ridges in the anterior part with a notch at the posterior part. The interradial plates of both species were smaller than the radial plates. A ridge was present at the anterior part of the interradial plate in H. atra. In S. hermanii, the ridge at the anterior part of the interradial was thin and prominent. Under the scanning electron microscope the calcareous rings from the two species exhibited a mosaic of small, numerous spicules bound to each other.

Author Biographies

Hawa Ismail, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical ScienceFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Ng S.K., Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical ScienceFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Hing H.L., Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical ScienceFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Normalawati Shamsudin, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Unit Mikroskop ElektronFaculty of Science and Technology

Ridzwan Hashim, International Islamic University Malaysia

Kulliyyah Science

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Published

2004-12-31

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Section

Articles