Dr. Karen Sanamyan, Russland
Info
Synaptula is a genus of small small, worm-like sea cucumbers that live as commensals on other invertebrates.
They mainly colonize sponges, but also gorgonians gorgonians, large algae species and calcareous algae.
The various Synaptula species often only live on one specific host and in some cases can only be and in some cases can only be determined by the identity of the host animal.
Worm sea cucumbers eat sediments that adhere to their host.
The microscopic algae and diatoms contained in the sediments are utilized.
Synaptula lamperti has an elongated, opaque body with several dark longitudinal stripes.
Feeds only at night.
Even though they do not contain any harmful toxins, they usually perish within a few months in most captive situations, as they cannot get a sufficient amount of food.
They are best left in the wild.
Synonymised names:
Synaptula membrana Heding, 1928
Synaptula purpurea Heding, 1928
They mainly colonize sponges, but also gorgonians gorgonians, large algae species and calcareous algae.
The various Synaptula species often only live on one specific host and in some cases can only be and in some cases can only be determined by the identity of the host animal.
Worm sea cucumbers eat sediments that adhere to their host.
The microscopic algae and diatoms contained in the sediments are utilized.
Synaptula lamperti has an elongated, opaque body with several dark longitudinal stripes.
Feeds only at night.
Even though they do not contain any harmful toxins, they usually perish within a few months in most captive situations, as they cannot get a sufficient amount of food.
They are best left in the wild.
Synonymised names:
Synaptula membrana Heding, 1928
Synaptula purpurea Heding, 1928
