Elasipodida is an
order
Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to:
* Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood
* Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of ...
of
sea cucumber
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 holothu ...
s. They have numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Although many species are
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 "t ...
, 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 (as illustrated on the right). The word ''pelagic'' is derived . The pelagic zone can be thought of as an imaginary cylinder or w ...
, 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
Elpidiidae is a family of deep-sea sea cucumber
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 ...
Théel, 1882
* family
Laetmogonidae Ekman, 1926
* family †
Palaeolaetmogonidae Reich, 2012
* family
Pelagothuriidae
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 bent ...
Ludwig, 1893
* family
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 ...
Théel, 1882
Image:Pelagothuria natatrix.jpg, The only true pelagic echinoderm known to date : ''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 ...
'' (here close to the Galapagos).
Image:Expl0790 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg, '' Benthodytes sp.''
Image:Scotoplanes globosa and crab.jpg, ''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, us ...
globosa'' (a.k.a. "sea pig", family Elpidiidae
Elpidiidae is a family of deep-sea sea cucumber
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 ...
)
Image:Expl5475.jpg, A Pelagothuriidae
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 bent ...
Image:Expl5494.jpg, A 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 ...
References
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*
Notes
Echinoderm orders
{{Holothuroidea-stub