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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 The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean and can be further divided into regions by depth. The word ''pelagic'' is derived . The pelagic zone can be thought of as an imaginary cylinder or water column between the sur ..., 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 * family Deimatidae? Théel, 1882 Synonym of '' Benthodytes'', '' Psycheotrephes'', and '' Psychropotes''. Imag ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Holothuroidea
Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea ( ). They are benthic marine animals found on the sea floor worldwide, and the number of known holothuroid species worldwide is about 1,786, with the greatest number being in the Asia–Pacific region. Sea cucumbers serve a useful role in the marine ecosystem as detritivores who help recycle nutrients, breaking down detritus and other organic matter, after which microbes can continue the decomposition process. Sea cucumbers have a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad, are named for their overall resemblance to the fruit of the cucumber plant. Like all echinoderms, sea cucumbers have a calcified dermal endoskeleton, which is usually reduced to isolated microscopic ossicles (or sclerietes) joined by connective tissue. In some species these can sometimes be enlarged to flattened plates, forming an armoured cuticle. In some abyssal or pelagic species such as '' Pelagothuria natatrix'' ... [...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 The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean and can be further divided into regions by depth. The word ''pelagic'' is derived . The pelagic zone can be thought of as an imaginary cylinder or water column between the sur ..., 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 * family Deimatidae? Théel, 1882 Synonym of '' Benthodytes'', '' Psycheotrephes'', and '' Psychropotes''. Imag ... [...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 they feed. This type of movement is thought to be an adaptation to life on the soft floor of the deep sea. These creatures, however, can 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 through t ... [...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 Holothuro ... [...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] |
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 (genus), Irpa'' Danielssen & Koren, 1878 *''Kolga (genus), 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 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Johan Hjalmar Théel
Johan Hjalmar Théel (14 June 1848 – 20 July 1937) was a Swedish zoologist and university professor. Early life Théel was born on 14 June 1848 in Säter, Sweden. He used to go on hunting trips along the coast of Norway in his youth and became fascinated by the plants and animals he encountered, especially the marine life. He met the zoologist Sven Ludvig Lovén who sparked his interest in Sipuncula, sipunculid or peanut worms, especially the genus ''Phascolionidae, Phascolion''. He studied at Uppsala University and ''Phascolion'' was the subject for his thesis, written in 1875. He was also an artist and included his own illustrations in his published articles. In 1875, he accompanied the explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld to the mouth of the Yenisei River in an attempt to find the Northeast Passage. He joined him on a similar voyage the following year and discovered a sea cucumber new to science, which he named ''Elpidia glacialis''. He was inducted into the Royal Swedish Acad ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pelagothuria Natatrix
''Pelagothuria'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Pelagothuriidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Pelagothuria natatrix''. Characteristics This sea cucumber is somewhat unusual in appearance in comparison with other sea cucumbers (and even within its family), as it looks more like a jellyfish with its large umbrella-like swimming structure supported by a ring of around 12 highly modified oral tentacles, its small tapered body and its swimming position with the mouth on top. The body is translucent with a pale purple pigmentation. The mouth is surrounded by around 15 short feeding tentacles like any sea cucumber, and the veil can be contracted like jellyfishes do (it is interrupted at the central ventral radius). The animal seems to reach around 16 cm in total diameter. This species constitutes the only true pelagic holothurian (and even echinoderm) known to date. However, its swimming seems mostly passive, more like slightly controlle ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Psychropotes
''Psychropotes'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Psychropotidae. The members of this genus possess the ability to swim, although this is only facultative. Description As adults, species of ''Psychropotes'' are roughly cylindrical in shape and red to violet in colour. They have a sail-like appendage which can be used for swimming during the larval stage, but is no longer needed when it is fully grown. Larvae of ''Psychropotes'' species are benthopelagic and swim around using the aforementioned appendage, however researchers are still trying to understand its use when the holothurian is fully grown. Larvae are transparent and can grow to around 2 cm long. Species The following species are recognised in the genus ''Psychropotes'': * ''Psychropotes belyaevi'' Hansen, 1975 * ''Psychropotes depressa'' (Théel, 1882) * ''Psychropotes dubiosa'' Ludwig, 1893 * ''Psychropotes dyscrita'' (Clark, 1920) * ''Psychropotes fuscopurpurea'' Théel, 1882 * ''Psychropotes hyalinus'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Psycheotrephes
''Psycheotrephes'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Psychropotidae. Species The following species are recognised in the genus ''Psycheotrephes'': * '' Psycheotrephes discoveryi'' Rogacheva & Cross in Rogacheva et al., 2009 * '' Psycheotrephes exigua'' Théel, 1882 * '' Psycheotrephes magna'' Hansen, 1975 * '' Psycheotrephes recta'' (Vaney, 1908) References Holothuroidea genera Psychropotidae Taxa named by Johan Hjalmar Théel {{Holothuroidea-stub ... [...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] |
