Holothuria floridana
| Holothuria floridana | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Holothuroidea |
| Order: | Aspidochirotida |
| Family: | Holothuriidae |
| Genus: | Holothuria |
| Species: | H. floridana |
| Binomial name | |
| Holothuria floridana Pourtalés, 1851 [2] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Holothuria floridana, the Florida sea cucumber, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Holothuriidae. It is found on the seabed just below the low tide mark in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.[1]
Description
The Florida sea cucumber can grow to a length of up to 8 inches (20 cm). It has an elongated cylindrical shape with a tough, leathery skin with blunt conical protuberances. On the underside it has several rows of short tube feet. On one end is the mouth surrounded by a ring of feeding tentacles. The body colour is mottled brown, fawn and white.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The Florida sea cucumber is found at depths of up to 5 metres (16 ft) on sand and on seagrass beds in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the coasts of Florida.[4]
Biology
The Florida sea cucumber moves across the sandy seabed sifting through the sand with its tentacles and feeding on detritus and other organic particles.[4]
References
- 1 2 Alvarado, J.J.; Paola Ortiz, E.; Benavides, M. & Toral-Granda, T.-G. (2010). "Holothuria floridana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ↑ Paulay, Gustav (2012). "Holothuria (Halodeima) floridana Pourtalés, 1851". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
- ↑ Florida Sea Cucumber Florent's guide to the tropical reefs. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
- 1 2 Holothuria floridana Saltcorner. Retrieved 2011-06-11.