Philippe Bourjon, Frankreich
Info
Semper, 1868
Correct name converning WoRMS:
Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola
Correct name converning SeaLifeBase:
Holothuria arenicola
H. arenicola is a cream/white-coloured species with a double row of dark red spots along its upper surface. It is small to medium sized (up to 300 mm.), long and cylindrical, sometimes sand covered. It is a rigid species with a tough tegument covered with small, hard papillae. Cuvierian tubules are vestigial. The spicules are small, square tables, and buttons with rather small holes (H. arenicola spicules). This species may be found on reefs and in coastal waters, usually in the sand below rocks.
Remarks: Colour and pattern serve to distinguish Holothuria (Thymiosycia) species when alive. Spicule form must be used to clearly distinguish H. arenicola from H. (Lessonothuria) pardalis or even H. (Cyslipus) rigida with which it shares a superficial similarity of form and habit.
Source: Marine Species Identification Portal
Synonyme:
Holothuria arenicola Semper, 1868 ·
Holothuria brandtii Selenka, 1867
Holothuria humilis Selenka, 1867
Holothuria monsuni Heding, 1939
Sporadipus (Acolpos) maculatus Brandt, 1835
Thymiosycia arenicola Semper
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Echinodermata (Phylum) > Echinozoa (Subphylum) > Holothuroidea (Class) > Aspidochirotida (Order) > Holothuriidae (Family) > Holothuria (Genus) > Holothuria (Thymiosycia) (Subgenus) > Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola (Species)
Sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae possess, exceptions confirm the rule, so-called Cuvier's tubes (named after the French naturalist Georges Cuvier, * August 23, 1769 † May 13, 1832).
These are long, thin tubes that are located on the rectum of the echinoderms and are flung towards potential predators for defense.
These released tubes form a sticky, tough and stretchy network in which fish, crustaceans or other prey predators can become entangled.
The adhesives may also contain toxins (holothurin).
Sea cucumbers are the vacuum cleaners of the oceans, continuously cleaning the sea floors, so it may be useful for aquarists to keep one or more sea cucumbers in the aquarium to avoid detritus rich zones.
Problem:
Many sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae can release their venom into the aquarium water when they are in danger or dying, corals are mostly not harmed by the venom, but fish usually die.
Holothurins can cause severe, burning pain when in contact with the skin and irritation and even blindness when in contact with the eyes. When ingested systemically, the toxins can cause paralysis, muscle spasms, and discomfort in the digestive system, and in larger quantities, death by respiratory paralysis.
Since sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries, the Cuvier's tubes containing the toxins must be removed before preparation or consumption.
Correct name converning WoRMS:
Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola
Correct name converning SeaLifeBase:
Holothuria arenicola
H. arenicola is a cream/white-coloured species with a double row of dark red spots along its upper surface. It is small to medium sized (up to 300 mm.), long and cylindrical, sometimes sand covered. It is a rigid species with a tough tegument covered with small, hard papillae. Cuvierian tubules are vestigial. The spicules are small, square tables, and buttons with rather small holes (H. arenicola spicules). This species may be found on reefs and in coastal waters, usually in the sand below rocks.
Remarks: Colour and pattern serve to distinguish Holothuria (Thymiosycia) species when alive. Spicule form must be used to clearly distinguish H. arenicola from H. (Lessonothuria) pardalis or even H. (Cyslipus) rigida with which it shares a superficial similarity of form and habit.
Source: Marine Species Identification Portal
Synonyme:
Holothuria arenicola Semper, 1868 ·
Holothuria brandtii Selenka, 1867
Holothuria humilis Selenka, 1867
Holothuria monsuni Heding, 1939
Sporadipus (Acolpos) maculatus Brandt, 1835
Thymiosycia arenicola Semper
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Echinodermata (Phylum) > Echinozoa (Subphylum) > Holothuroidea (Class) > Aspidochirotida (Order) > Holothuriidae (Family) > Holothuria (Genus) > Holothuria (Thymiosycia) (Subgenus) > Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola (Species)
Sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae possess, exceptions confirm the rule, so-called Cuvier's tubes (named after the French naturalist Georges Cuvier, * August 23, 1769 † May 13, 1832).
These are long, thin tubes that are located on the rectum of the echinoderms and are flung towards potential predators for defense.
These released tubes form a sticky, tough and stretchy network in which fish, crustaceans or other prey predators can become entangled.
The adhesives may also contain toxins (holothurin).
Sea cucumbers are the vacuum cleaners of the oceans, continuously cleaning the sea floors, so it may be useful for aquarists to keep one or more sea cucumbers in the aquarium to avoid detritus rich zones.
Problem:
Many sea cucumbers of the family Holothuriidae can release their venom into the aquarium water when they are in danger or dying, corals are mostly not harmed by the venom, but fish usually die.
Holothurins can cause severe, burning pain when in contact with the skin and irritation and even blindness when in contact with the eyes. When ingested systemically, the toxins can cause paralysis, muscle spasms, and discomfort in the digestive system, and in larger quantities, death by respiratory paralysis.
Since sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries, the Cuvier's tubes containing the toxins must be removed before preparation or consumption.
