Opheodesoma spectabilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Apodida
Family: Synaptidae
Genus: Opheodesoma
Species:
O. spectabilis
Binomial name
Opheodesoma spectabilis
Fisher, 1907

Opheodesoma spectabilis is a synaptid sea cucumber in the Indo-Pacific that can be locally very abundant.[1][2]

Description

With their flexible, wormlike bodies and mouth surrounded by tentacles[3] Opheodesoma spectabilis varies in color.[4] From a shade of gray when above water, to a rich chocolate brown[4] or "bloodsucker" red when below water.[5]

Biology

As sea cucumbers most commonly do, the Opheodesoma are invertebrates that start their life cycle as Planktotrophic larvae. They then grow into cylinder-shaped doliolaria who metamorphose into the juvenile opheodesoma spectabilis you often see today.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Opheodesoma spectabilis is located in subtropical and tropical areas such as New Caledonia, Hawaii, the Indo-Pacific,[7] East Africa, and Guam.[8] Generally found at the bottom of the ocean floor within the sand, crumble, shells,[5] and brown algae called Sargassum.[9]

Diet

These conspicuous creatures are bottom feeders, aka reef janitors. Their diets mainly consist of dead plant and animal particles. This animal eats by accumulating the particles with its tentacles and then depositing said particles into its mouth.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Opheodesoma spectabilis Fisher, 1907". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  2. ↑ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber, Opheodesoma spectabilis". www.keokistender.com. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  3. ↑ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber – Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  4. 1 2 "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  5. 1 2 "Conspicuous Sea Cucumbers". Project Noah. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  6. ↑ "Opheodesoma spectabilis, Conspicuous sea cucumber". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  7. ↑ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber, Opheodesoma spectabilis". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  8. ↑ "Opheodesoma spectabilis Sea Cucumber". www.reeflex.net. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  9. ↑ "CRAMP: Island of Oahu". cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  10. ↑ Scott, Susan (2010-12-06). "Squishy sea cucumbers reside in Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe Bay". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
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