Study identifies 1,500 sea cucumbers in illegal cargo seized at SP airport

Study identifies 1,500 sea cucumbers in illegal cargo seized at SP airport Fabio Porto-Foresti A genetic analysis carried out by researchers from Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) identified two species of Brazilian sea cucumbers in cargo seized at Guarulhos International Airport (SP). The case reveals the illegal trade in these animals and paves the way for the use of genetics as an inspection tool. ? Also follow Terra da Gente on Instagram The study identified specimens of the species Holothuria grisea and Isostichopus badionotus, animals that, despite being little known to the public, play a fundamental role in maintaining marine ecosystems. Scientists analyzed three seizures made by Ibama in 2023: two suitcases from passengers who were going to China and a box destined for Italy. As the animals were dried and processed, identification by physical characteristics was practically impossible. The solution was to resort to so-called DNA barcoding, a technique that works like a molecular "bar code" to identify species based on small fragments of DNA. "During the study we realized that there was no genetic sequence of this species (Holothuria grisea) available in public banks. We had to collect specimens in Ubatuba to build this reference and only then confirm the identity of the seized animals", explains researcher Auany Camila Fantinelli. The technique used accurately identifies the species, but it still does not allow us to determine exactly which beach or municipality the animals were taken from. This occurs because the genetic marker used was developed only to recognize species, and not differences between populations of the same species. Illegal trade in Brazilian sea cucumbers worries researchers and raises awareness for conservation Fabio Porto-Foresti See more news from Terra da Gente, on g1: MYSTERY: Animal known from only 9 specimens may have disappeared even before being studied FLAGRANT: Irara with a rare mutation is recorded during fauna monitoring in RJ WILL IT BE? Are cicadas the same in Japan? Brazilian photographer records species from 'the other side of the world' Despite this limitation, the researchers consider it extremely likely that the specimens were captured off the Brazilian coast. The two species occur naturally along the country's coastline and there are no records of commercial production of these animals in Brazil. The volume seized caught the team's attention: the three loads analyzed contained around 1,500 sea cucumbers, considering approximately 500 individuals per suitcase or box. "This only represents what was seized. It is likely that there is a much larger volume going unnoticed", warns Auany. Researchers use DNA to identify Brazilian sea cucumbers in illegal cargo seized by Ibama Fabio Porto-Foresti Why the interest in sea cucumbers? Sea cucumbers play an indispensable role in maintaining the health of coastal environments. They feed on sediments rich in organic matter, recycle nutrients, oxygenate the seabed and help maintain the balance of benthic ecosystems, where various organisms that inhabit the bottom of aquatic environments live. When they ingest the sediment, these animals process the organic matter and return already mineralized nutrients to the environment, favoring the circulation of oxygen and creating conditions for the development of microorganisms, worms, crustaceans and other species that depend on this habitat. "When a population of sea cucumbers is intensively removed, this ecological service stops occurring. The sediment becomes less oxygenated, there is an accumulation of organic matter and all the biodiversity that depends on this environment can be affected", explains Auany. According to the researcher, the impacts go far beyond the reduction in the number of individuals. DNA reveals origin of sea cucumbers seized in illegal trade scheme flatwaterchris/iNaturalist - Isostichopus badionotus "What is at stake is not just the survival of two species, but the integrity of entire ecosystems that depend on the silent work of these animals to remain balanced" The international demand for sea cucumbers is driven mainly by the Asian market, where the dried product is considered a culinary delicacy and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly. The high commercial value makes illegal capture economically attractive and favors the exploitation of natural populations. Abundant, but unmonitored The two species identified in the study are currently classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, scientists emphasize that this classification does not mean the absence of risk. The assessment of Holothuria grisea, for example, has not been updated since 2010. Furthermore, around 65% of sea cucumber species assessed by the IUCN are classified as "Insufficient Data", highlighting the lack of information about this group of animals. See what's highlighted in g1: