Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola
©Anne Hoggett: Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola from under rubble near the sandspit at Palfrey Island, Lizard Island Group. 12 cm long.
©Anne Hoggett: Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola found under a slab of beach rock exposed at low tide, Eagle Island near Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola found under a slab of beach rock exposed at low tide, Eagle Island near Lizard Island.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Holothuroidea
Order
Aspidochirotida
Family
Holothuriidae
Genus
Holothuria
Species
Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola
Colours
Distinguishing features
A pale holothurian with a double row of large dark spots on the dorsal surface. Thin but rough body wall. No Cuverian tubules. Usually found in shallow water associated with sand and under slabs of rock or rubble.
Size
- Up to 30 cm (Maximum length according to Purcell et al (2012))
- Up to 18 cm (Length of specimens observed in the Lizard Island area.)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
species: Holothuria (Lessonothuria) pardalis
may have similar colouration but body shape is different - flattened underside and pointed ends.
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- 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.
Other references
- Bakus, G.J. (1981). Chemical defense mechanisms on the Great Barrier Reef, Science, 211: 497-499. LIRS catalog number 41.