©Lyle Vail: Actinopyga varians on the reef flat at Lizard Island. There are always white patches around the anus but the amount of white varies on the dorsal and lateral surfaces.
©Anne Hoggett: Actinopyga varians on the reef flat, northern side of Lizard Island. One of two individuals photographed. The amount of white on the dorsal and lateral surfaces varies between individuals.
©Anne Hoggett: Actinopyga varians on the reef flat, northern side of Lizard Island. The second of two individuals photographed. The amount of white on the dorsal and lateral surfaces varies between individuals.
Colours
Distinguishing features
All species of Actinopyga have distinct anal "teeth" that are visible in the field. Colour pattern is useful to distinguish the most of species known from Lizard Island. None of the Actinopyga species eject cuverian tubules when disturbed.
Actinopyga varians is brown with white patches above, especially around the anus, and is usually white on the underside. The body wall is thick, firm and smooth.
This species has usually been identified as Actinopyga mauritiana on the GBR but that appears to be a distinct species that is restricted to the Indian Ocean.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
species: Actinopyga mauritiana
is the name that has been used for this species on the GBR, apparently erroneously. Use of the name A. varians in LIFG is based on comparison of photos in iNaturalist and the views of iNat contributor Frederic Ducarme (Jun 2021).
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Usually found in shallow, exposed locations, earning the common name of Surf Redfish in the trepang trade. It is found at exposed sites throughout the midshelf reefs in the Lizard Island area as well as at the outer barrier reefs.
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Cannon, L.R.G. and H. Silver (1986). Sea Cucumbers of Northern Australia Queensland Museum, Brisbane. LIRS catalog number 229.
- Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.
- Purcell, S.W., Y. Samyn and C. Conand (2012). Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world 150 pp., 30 pl. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.