Sea cucumbers are prized by oriental populations for their dried body wall known as

b�che-de-mer ('trepang' or 'hai-som') and constitute therefore an important

resource of commercial value in coastal fisheries (Conand 1989Conand , 2001Conand ,
2004aConand , 2008). Worldwide demand of this marine product has increased the
fishing pressure and has lead to over-exploitation (Conand, 2004aConand, ,
2006aConand, , 2006b) Countries of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) have traded sea
cucumbers for hundred of years, however only recently they have been interested in
their management (Conand, 1989Conand, , 2008 Conand et al., 2006; Conand and
Muthiga, 2007) which needs investigations on their biology including reproduction.
A regional multidisciplinary MASMA programme (Marine Science for Management)
granted by WIOMSA (Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association) is underway in
the WIO that will bring data on the reproduction of the most important b�che-de-mer
species (Conand et al., 2006; Conand and Muthiga, 2007)
d habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra
(Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food types
such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the
larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumb in about equivalent numbers. Newer gynoecious hybrid
cultivars produce almost all female blossoms. They may have a pollenizer cultivar
interplanted, and the number of beehives per unit area is increased, but
temperature changes induce male flowers even on these plants, which may be
sufficient for pollination to occur.
referred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra
(Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food types
such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the
larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.
a (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food types
such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the
larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocaer are parthenocarpic, the blossoms
creating seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars
degrades the quality. In the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses,
where bees are excluded. In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and
bees are excluded from these areas.
appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues
including the presence of particular food types such as diatoms and certain
bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the larval movement and
settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.
Most cucumber cultivars, however, are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of
hives of honey bees are annually carried to cucumber fields just before bloom for
this purpose. Cucumbers may also be pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee
species. Most cucumbers that require pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen
from a different plant is required to form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible
cultivars exist that are related to the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate
pollination include fruit abortion and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated
flowers may develop fruit that are green and develop normally near the stem end,
but are pale yellow and withered at the blossom end.

Traditional cultivars produce male blossoms first, then female,rpic, the blossoms
creating seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars
degrades the quality. In the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses,
where bees are excluded. In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and
bees are excluded from these areas.

Most cucumber cultivars, howeveer are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating

seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the
quality. In the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees
are excluded. In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are
excluded from these areas.
appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues
including the presence of particular food types such as diatoms and certain
bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the larval movement and
settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.

Most cucumber cultivars, however, are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of
hives of honey bees are annually carried to cucumber fields just before bloom for
this purpose. Cucumbers may also be pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee
species. Most cucumbers that require pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen
from a different plant is required to form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible
cultivars exist that are related to the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate
pollination include fruit abortion and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated
flowers may develop fruit that are green and develop normally near the stem end,
but are pale yellow and withered at the blossom end.

Most cucumber cultivars, however, are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of
hives of honey bees are annually carried to cucumber fields just before bloom for
this purpose. Cucumbers may also be pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee
species. Most cucumbers that require pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen
from a different plant is required to form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible
cultivars exist that are related to the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate
pollination include fruit abortion and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated
flowers may develop fruit that are green and develop normally near the stem end,
but are pale yellow and withered at the blossom end.
appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabr
Traditional cultivars produce male blossoms first, then female,r, are seeded and
require pollination. Thousands of hives of honey bees are annually carried to
cucumber fields just before bloom for this purpose. Cucumbers may also be
pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee species. Most cucumbers that require
pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen from a different plant is required to
form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible cultivars exist that are related to
the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate pollination include fruit abortion
and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated flowers may develop fruit that are green
and develop normally near the stem end, but are pale yellow and withered at the
blossom end.

Traditional cultivars produce male blossoms first, then female, in about equivalent
numbers. Newer gynoecious hybrid cultivars produce almost all female blossoms. They
may have a pollenizer cultivar interplanted, and the number of beehives per unit
area is increased, but temperature changes induce male flowers even on these
plants, which may be sufficient for pollination to occur.
referr a (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocaer are parthenocarpic, the blossoms
creating seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars
degrades the quality. In the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses,
where bees are excluded. In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and
bees are excluded from these areas.
appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues
including the presence of particular food types such as diatoms and certain
bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the larval movement and
settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.

Most cucumber cultivars, however, are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of
hives of honey bees are annually carried to cucumber fields just before bloom for
this purpose. Cucumbers may also be pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee
species. Most cucumbers that require pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen
from a different plant is required to form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible
cultivars exist that are related to the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate
pollination include fruit abortion and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated
flowers may develop fruit that are green and develop normally near the stem end,
but are pale yellow and withered at the blossom end.

Traditional cultivars produce male blossoms first, then female,rpic, the blossoms
creating seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars
degrades the quality. In the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses,
where bees are excluded. In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and
bees are excluded from these areas.

Most cucumber cultivars, howeveer are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating

seedless fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the
quality. In the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees
are excluded. In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are
excluded from these areas.
appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues
including the presence of particular food types such as diatoms and certain
bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the larval movement and
settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.

Most cucumber cultivars, however, are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of
hives of honey bees are annually carried to cucumber fields just before bloom for
this purpose. Cucumbers may also be pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee
species. Most cucumbers that require pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen
from a different plant is required to form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible
cultivars exist that are related to the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate
pollination include fruit abortion and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated
flowers may develop fruit that are green and develop normally near the stem end,
but are pale yellow and withered at the blossom end.
ed habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra
(Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food types
such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the
larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.

Traditional cultivars produce male blossoms first, then female, in about equivalent
numbers. Newer gynoecious hybrid cultivars produce almost all female blossoms. They
may have a pollenizer cultivar interplanted, and the number of beehives per unit
area is increased, but temperature changes induce male flowers even on these
plants, which may be sufficient for pollination to occur.
referred habitat type for er are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.
appears to be on seagrass leaves for H. scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues
including the presence of particular food types such as diatoms and certain
bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known of the larval movement and
settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating
Preferred habitat type for settlement appears to be on seagrass leaves for H.
scabra (Mercier et al. 2000a) with cues including the presence of particular food
types such as diatoms and certain bacteria (Battaglene 1999). Very little is known
of the larval movement and settlement processes of H. scabra in the wild
A few cultivars of cucumber are parthenocarpic, the blossoms creating seedless
fruit without pollination. Pollination for these cultivars degrades the quality. In
the United States, these are usually grown in greenhouses, where bees are excluded.
In Europe, they are grown outdoors in some regions, and bees are excluded from
these areas.

Most cucumber cultivars, however, are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of
hives of honey bees are annually carried to cucumber fields just before bloom for
this purpose. Cucumbers may also be pollinated by bumblebees and several other bee
species. Most cucumbers that require pollination are self-incompatible, so pollen
from a different plant is required to form seeds and fruit.[2] Some self-compatible
cultivars exist that are related to the 'Lemon' cultivar.[2] Symptoms of inadequate
pollination include fruit abortion and misshapen fruit. Partially pollinated
flowers may develop fruit that are green and develop normally near the stem end,
but are pale yellow and withered at the blossom end.

Traditional cultivars produce male blossoms first, then female,settlement