Holothuria lessoni
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Holothuria lessoni faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive commercial harvesting for the sea cucumber trade, particularly in Pacific island nations where it is highly valued for export to Asian markets. Overexploitation has led to local extinctions in many reef systems, while coastal development and coral reef degradation further reduce available habitat. The species' slow growth rate and late sexual maturity make populations particularly vulnerable to overharvesting pressure.
Habitat
Holothuria lessoni inhabits shallow tropical coral reefs and sandy lagoons throughout the Indo-Pacific, typically found at depths of 1-30 meters. The species prefers areas with mixed coral and sand substrates where it feeds on organic matter and detritus.
