Holothuria pervicax
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Holothuria pervicax | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Holothuroidea |
| Order: | Holothuriida |
| Family: | Holothuriidae |
| Genus: | Holothuria |
| Species: | H. pervicax |
| Binomial name | |
| Holothuria pervicax Selenka, 1867 | |
Holothuria pervicax is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria. It is commonly called the stubborn sea cucumber due to its inability to be kept alive in captivity.[1] It is commonly found buried beneath rocks on reefs in warm waters.[2]
Holothuria perviax is a gray or brown sea cucumber with red-brown papillae and white tube feet for locomotion.[2] Its body is elongated with an oral-aboral orientation and can grow up to 30 centimeters.[1] It has a soft epidermis and a somewhat bumpy body. Its mouth is surrounded by thin branched tentacles[2] with poorly formed spricules found around the body.[3] Distinctions between H. perviax and sister species fusconierea are hard to find but the main differences are spicule size and slight coloration differences.[2]
This species is very high maintenance and requires a specific lifestyle in order to survive. Aquariums have had a very hard time keeping these animals happy and have yet to keep one alive in captivity which has earned this species the name "stubborn sea cucumber".[1]
Distribution
Commonly found in the Maldives, Australia, Cebu (Philippines), Cook Islands, Comoros, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Indo Pacific, Indonesia, Johnston Atoll, Kenya, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Reunion, Somalia, Sulu Sea, Tansania, The cocos Islands, The Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean. Its preferred habitat is under rocks in reefs found in warmer waters ranging from 24°C to 28.7°C.[1]
Reproduction
Sexes are separate in these cucumbers with individuals having one gonad.[4] Fertilization and spawning happen externally. Their planktonic larvae (auricularia) morph with age into barrel shaped larvae and then finally into juvenile sea cucumbers.[5]
Diet
Sea cucumbers are effective suspension and deposit feeders typically becoming active feeding at night. They have conveyor belt feeding methods where they ingest the substrate's surface and defecate on it.[1]
