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Elasipodida
Elasipodida is an order of sea cucumbers. They have numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Although many species are benthic, a number are pelagic, and may have their appendages modified to form sails or fins. Most members of the order inhabit deep-sea environments, such as the species of the genus ''Enypniastes''. Classification The following families are recognised in the order Elasipodida: * family Elpidiidae Théel, 1882 * family Laetmogonidae Ekman, 1926 * family † Palaeolaetmogonidae Reich, 2012 * family Pelagothuriidae Ludwig, 1893 * family Psychropotidae Théel, 1882 Image:Pelagothuria natatrix.jpg, The only true pelagic echinoderm known to date : ''Pelagothuria natatrix'' (here close to the Galapagos). Image:Expl0790 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg, ''Benthodytes sp.'' Image:Scotoplanes globosa and crab.jpg, ''Scotoplanes globosa'' (a.k.a. "sea pig", family Elpidiidae) Image:Expl5475.jpg, A Pelagothuriidae Image:Expl5494.jpg, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Holothuroidea
Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea (). They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. The number of holothurian () species worldwide is about 1,717, with the greatest number being in the Asia-Pacific region. Many of these are gathered for human consumption and some species are cultivated in aquaculture systems. The harvested product is variously referred to as '' trepang'', ''namako'', ''bêche-de-mer'', or ''balate''. Sea cucumbers serve a useful role in the marine ecosystem as they help recycle nutrients, breaking down detritus and other organic matter, after which bacteria can continue the decomposition process. Like all echinoderms, sea cucumbers have an endoskeleton just below the skin, calcified structures that are usually reduced to isolated microscopic ossicles (or sclerietes) joined by connective tissue. In some species these can sometimes ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elasipodida
Elasipodida is an order of sea cucumbers. They have numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Although many species are benthic, a number are pelagic, and may have their appendages modified to form sails or fins. Most members of the order inhabit deep-sea environments, such as the species of the genus ''Enypniastes''. Classification The following families are recognised in the order Elasipodida: * family Elpidiidae Théel, 1882 * family Laetmogonidae Ekman, 1926 * family † Palaeolaetmogonidae Reich, 2012 * family Pelagothuriidae Ludwig, 1893 * family Psychropotidae Théel, 1882 Image:Pelagothuria natatrix.jpg, The only true pelagic echinoderm known to date : ''Pelagothuria natatrix'' (here close to the Galapagos). Image:Expl0790 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg, ''Benthodytes sp.'' Image:Scotoplanes globosa and crab.jpg, ''Scotoplanes globosa'' (a.k.a. "sea pig", family Elpidiidae) Image:Expl5475.jpg, A Pelagothuriidae Image:Expl5494.jpg, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Psychropotidae
Psychropotidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. The geographic range of some psychropotids is very extensive at abyssal depths, whereas other species are found within more restricted ranges.P. A. Tyler & D. S. M. Billett (1988) The Reproductive Ecology of Elasipodid Holothurians from the N. E. Atlantic, Biological Oceanography, 5:4, 273-296, DOI: 10.1080/01965581.1987.10749518 Description "Psychropotidae are elongate in shape, with the anterior part of the dorsal surface depressed. Many psychropotids have a large posterior appendage. They usually have 10-20 tentacles and ventrolateral radii, each with a single row of many small tube feet." Like all holothurians, psychropotids have calcareous deposits, vestigial elements of the usual Echinoderm skeleton. "In psychropotids, These are essentially similar to other Holothuroidea, differing in a very low degree of calcification", instead consisting mainly of connective tissue. The calcareous ring and spicules of Holothur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scotoplanes
''Scotoplanes'' is a genus of deep-sea sea cucumbers of the family Elpidiidae. Its species are commonly known as sea pigs. Locomotion Members of the Elpidiidae have particularly enlarged tube "feet" that have taken on a leg-like appearance, using water cavities within the skin to inflate and deflate thereby causing the appendages to move. These appendages are different from the normal tube feet of the broader order of Elasipodida due the replacement of ampullae with dermal cavities to account for the larger size of the Elpidiidae tube feet. ''Scotoplanes'' move through the top layer of seafloor sediment and disrupt both the surface and the resident infauna as it feeds. This type of movement is thought to be an adaptation to life on the soft floor of the deep-sea. These creatures, however, are able to swim when disturbed. Some species of ''Scotoplanes'' are benthopelagic and spend plenty of time in the water column. A frontal lobe as well as two anal lobes propel the sea pig throu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elpidiidae
Elpidiidae is a family of deep-sea sea cucumbers. They have a translucent body with long and stout podia acting like legs. The mouth is surrounded by thick and short oral tentacles, and the dorsal part often shows pairs of elongated podia as well, pointing upwards. Some species can also show swimming appendages on top of the mouth. Sea pigs live in the darkest parts of the ocean. When introduced to warm waters, their bodies disintegrate, making them vulnerable to sudden heat changes. Genera The following genera are recognised in the family Elpidiidae: *'' Achlyonice'' Théel, 1879 *'' Amperima'' Pawson, 1965 *'' Ellipinion'' Hérouard, 1923 *'' Elpidia'' Théel, 1876 *'' Irpa'' Danielssen & Koren, 1878 *''Kolga'' Danielssen & Koren, 1879 *'' Peniagone'' Théel, 1882 *'' Penilpidia'' Gebruk, 1988 *'' Protelpidia'' Gebruk, 1983 *'' Psychrelpidia'' Hérouard, 1923 *'' Psychroplanes'' Gebruk, 1988 *'' Rhipidothuria'' Hérouard, 1901 *''Scotoplanes'' Théel, 1882 Image:Unidentif ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Benthodytes
''Benthodytes'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Psychropotidae. Discovery This group of sea cucumbers was first described by scientists aboard the H.M.S. Challenger during its 1873-1876 voyage.Théel, H. (1882). Report on the Holothuroidea dredged by H.M.S. 'Challenger' during the years 1873-76. Part i. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Zoology. 4 (part 13): i-ix, 1-176, pl. 1-46., available online at http://19thcenturyscience.org/HMSC/HMSC-Reports/Zool-13/htm/doc.htm Théel described the genus: "Body more or less depressed, with the anterior part of its brim rather large. Mouth ventral, at a greater distance from the foremost extremity of the body. Anus posterior, dorsal, usually almost terminal. Tentacles (?) twelve to twenty. Pedicels arranged in a single row round the brim of the body and in a double one along the odd ambulacrum. The dorsal surface seldom naked, commonly with a greater or smaller number ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Enypniastes
''Enypniastes'' is a genus of deep-sea sea cucumber. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Enypniastes eximia''. Due to its unique appearance, the species has been dubbed the headless chicken fish, headless chicken monster, and the Spanish dancer. It is also known as the swimming sea cucumber, and some are called the pink see-through fantasia. Description Species in this genus have developed webbed swimming fin like structures at the front and back of their bodies which enable them to swim up off the surface of the sea floor and to journey as much as up into the water column. This is thought to help the animals move to new feeding grounds and avoid predators.Miller, J. E.; Pawson, David L.Swimming Sea Cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea): A Survey, with Analysis of Swimming Behavior in Four Bathyal Species ''Smithsonian contributions to the marine sciences'', no 35, 1990. The sea cucumber ranges in size from . Its most distinct feature is its coloring ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Order (biology)
Order ( la, ordo) is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between family and class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and recognized by the nomenclature codes. An immediately higher rank, superorder, is sometimes added directly above order, with suborder directly beneath order. An order can also be defined as a group of related families. What does and does not belong to each order is determined by a taxonomist, as is whether a particular order should be recognized at all. Often there is no exact agreement, with different taxonomists each taking a different position. There are no hard rules that a taxonomist needs to follow in describing or recognizing an order. Some taxa are accepted almost universally, while others are recognized only rarely. The name of an order is usually written with a capital letter. For some groups of organisms, their orders may fol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Benthic
The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or stream, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. The name comes from ancient Greek, βένθος (bénthos), meaning "the depths." Organisms living in this zone are called benthos and include microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi) as well as larger invertebrates, such as crustaceans and polychaetes. Organisms here generally live in close relationship with the substrate and many are permanently attached to the bottom. The benthic boundary layer, which includes the bottom layer of water and the uppermost layer of sediment directly influenced by the overlying water, is an integral part of the benthic zone, as it greatly influences the biological activity that takes place there. Examples of contact soil layers include sand bottoms, rocky outcrops, coral, and bay mud. Description Oceans The benthic region of the ocean begins at the shore line ( intert ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pelagic
The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean, and can be further divided into regions by depth (as illustrated on the right). The word ''pelagic'' is derived . The pelagic zone can be thought of as an imaginary cylinder or water column between the surface of the sea and the bottom. Conditions in the water column change with depth: pressure increases; temperature and light decrease; salinity, oxygen, micronutrients (such as iron, magnesium and calcium) all change. Marine life is affected by bathymetry (underwater topography) such as the seafloor, shoreline, or a submarine seamount, as well as by proximity to the boundary between the ocean and the atmosphere at the ocean surface, which brings light for photosynthesis, predation from above, and wind stirring up waves and setting currents in motion. The pelagic zone refers to the open, free waters away from the shore, where marine life can swim freely in any direction unhindered by topographical constraints. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Laetmogonidae
Laetmogonidae is a family of sea cucumbers Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea (). They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. The number of holothurian .... Genera The following genera are recognised in the family Laetmogonidae: * '' Apodogaster'' Walsh, 1891 * '' Benthogone'' Koehler, 1895 * '' Gebrukothuria'' Rogacheva & Cross, 2009 * '' Laetmogone'' Théel, 1879 * †'' Palaeocaudina'' Boczarowski, 1997 * '' Pannychia'' Théel, 1882 * '' Psychronaetes'' Pawson, 1983 References Echinoderm families Extant Early Cretaceous first appearances {{Holothuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
