Holothuria floridana

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]

Holothuria floridana

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Holothuriida
Family: Holothuriidae
Genus: Holothuria
Species:
H. floridana
Binomial name
Holothuria floridana
Synonyms
  • Cuvieria (Holothuria) floridana Pourtalès, 1851
  • Holothuria heilprini Ives, 1890
  • Holothuria nitida Ives, 1890
  • Holothuria silamensis Ives, 1890

Description

Holothuria floridana 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

It 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

It moves across the sandy seabed sifting through the sand with its tentacles and feeding on detritus and other organic particles.[4]

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References
  1. Alvarado, J.J.; Paola Ortiz, E.; Benavides, M. & Toral-Granda, T.-G. (2010). "Holothuria floridana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Paulay, Gustav (2012). "Holothuria (Halodeima) floridana Pourtalés, 1851". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  3. Florida Sea Cucumber Florent's guide to the tropical reefs. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  4. Holothuria floridana Saltcorner. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
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