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Pelagothuriidae
Pelagothuriidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumber Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class (biology), 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 be ...s. 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''. Classification Family: Pelagothuriidae * genus '' Enypniastes'' Théel, 1882 * genus '' Pelagothuria'' Ludwig, 1893 References * * Notes Echinoderm families {{Holothuroidea-stub ... [...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] |
Pelagothuria
''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] |
