The annual reproductive cycle of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria
spinifera was studied in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India, from September 2000 to October
2001, by macroscopic and microscopic examination of gonad tubule, gonad index and
histology of gametogenic stages, to determine the spawning pattern. The gonad consists of
long tubules with uniform development. It does not confirm the progressive tubule
recruitment model described for other holothurians. The maximum percentage of mature
animals, gonad and fecundity indices, tubule length and diameter, with the observations on
gonad histology, ascertained that H. spinifera had the peak gametogenic activity during
September and October 2001 followed by a prolonged spawning period from November
2000–March 2001
