Biology:Opheodesoma spectabilis
| Opheodesoma spectabilis | |
|---|---|
Scientific 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
- ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Opheodesoma spectabilis Fisher, 1907". https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=210712.
- ↑ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber, Opheodesoma spectabilis". https://www.keokistender.com/marine/echinoderms/cucumbers/opheodesoma-spectabilis.htm.
- ↑ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber – Encyclopedia of Life" (in en). https://eol.org/pages/2984384.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species". https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Conspicuous Sea Cucumbers". https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1718656002.
- ↑ "Opheodesoma spectabilis, Conspicuous sea cucumber". https://www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Opheodesoma-spectabilis.html..
- ↑ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber, Opheodesoma spectabilis". https://www.marinelifephotography.com/marine/echinoderms/cucumbers/opheodesoma-spectabilis.htm.
- ↑ "Opheodesoma spectabilis Sea Cucumber". https://www.reeflex.net/tiere/3242_Opheodesoma_spectabilis.htm.
- ↑ "CRAMP: Island of Oahu". http://cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu/Watershed_Files/Oahu/WS_Oahu_koolaupoko_kaneohe.htm.
- ↑ Scott, Susan (2010-12-06). "Squishy sea cucumbers reside in Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe Bay" (in en-US). https://www.staradvertiser.com/2010/12/06/hawaii-news/ocean-watch/squishy-sea-cucumbers-reside-in-pearl-harbor-kaneohe-bay/.
Wikidata ☰ Q2168909 entry
 |  |
