Pelagothuriidae

Pelagothuriidae
Enypniastes sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Subclass: Aspidochirotacea
Order: Elasipodida
Family: Pelagothuriidae
Ludwig, 1893
Genera

(See Text)

Pelagothuriidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. They are somewhat unusual in appearance, in comparison with other sea cucumbers, having numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Most of them are benthopelagic, which means that they are able to swim for a time from the bottom : the species Pelagothuria natatrix is the only true pelagic holothurian (and echinoderm, to date) ; it looks like a jellyfish. Most members of the order inhabit deep-sea environments, like Enypniastes.[1]

Classification

Family: Pelagothuriidae

The only true pelagic echinoderm known to date : Pelagothuria natatrix (here close to the Galapagos).

References

  • Barnes, Robert D. (1982). Invertebrate Zoology. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. p. 995. ISBN 0-03-056747-5.
  • Mah, Christopher (September 18, 2012). "Deep-Sea Swimming Sea Cucumbers and the "most bizarre holothurian species in existence"!". The Echinoblog.

Notes

  1. ↑ Mah, Christopher (September 18, 2012). "Deep-Sea Swimming Sea Cucumbers and the "most bizarre holothurian species in existence"!". The Echinoblog.
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