Sea cucumbers in a world of high temperature and low dissolved oxygen: An overview focusing on Apostichopus japonicus

Global warming has exacerbated changes in environmental conditions, including water temperature and oxygen concentration. The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, an economically important echinoderm species, is constantly and directly challenged by both heat and hypoxia in its natural habitat, an issue that will only worsen with climate change. In this chapter, we discuss the threats of high temperature and low dissolved oxygen on this sea cucumber species. Physiological responses to heat and hypoxia stress are revealed by behavioral characteristics, tissue degradation, and key enzyme activities. Molecular responses are illustrated by changes in RNA, miRNA, protein, and metabolite profiles. Important biological processes impacted by environmental stress include metabolism, immune response, and signaling pathways. These findings can help develop a better understanding of the response of the sea cucumber A. japonicus and other commercially valuable sea cucumber species to global warming.