Actinopyga capillata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Actinopyga capillata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Holothuroidea |
| Order: | Holothuriida |
| Family: | Holothuriidae |
| Genus: | Actinopyga |
| Species: | A. capillata |
| Binomial name | |
| Actinopyga capillata Rowe & Massin, 2006 | |
Actinopyga capillata, the hairy sea cucumber,[2] is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is found in the tropical West Indo-Pacific region, having a disjunct range, with the main population in island groups in the western Indian Ocean, and a separate population in the Philippines.
The genus Actinopyga is characterised by the teeth surrounding the anus and by its distinctive shape. This species grows to a length of 15 cm (6 in), has a characteristic body shape and a distinctive pattern of long tube feet on its dorsal surface, giving it a furry appearance; it is dappled or roughly barred in some shade of brown and white.[2][3]
Distribution and habitat
Actinopyga capillata was first described in 2006 by Rowe & Massin from Réunion and Rodrigues in the Mascarene Islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It has since been recorded in Mauritius, and there have been two records from the Philippines, Talikud Island in the south and Siquijor Island in the central Philippines. Additionally, there is photographic evidence of its presence in southwestern Madagascar.[2] It occurs in shallow water and is usually associated with reefs and reef slopes, but can occur on areas of soft sediment.[1] Surveys of sea cucumbers elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region have not brought up sightings in the area between Mauritius and the Philippines.[2]
