PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sea Cucumber 

Apsolidium falconerae O'Loughlin, 2007

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Body wall ossicles small scales, thick knobbed perforated buttons, and cups with some branches across the rim. Up to 34 mm long, high and wide oral end, strongly tapered to low narrow anal end, thin calcareous body wall dorsally and laterally, flat thin-walled sole ventrally with outer wide band of tube feet, off-white colour.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Echinodermata
Class:
Holothuroidea
Order:
Dendrochirotida
Family:
Cucumariidae
Genus:
Apsolidium
Species:
falconerae

General Description

Body with a high and wide oral (mouth) end, strongly tapered to low narrow anal end. Thin calcareous body wall dorsally and laterally. Flat, thin-walled sole on ventral surface (underneath) with outer wide band of tube feet. Off-white colour. Up to 4 cm long.

Biology

Little is known about the biology of this species. Only one specimen has been found to date, covered with detrital material held by the small dorsal and lateral tube feet.

Habitat

Rocky shallow waters, to depth of at least 2 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Victoria at Phillip Island.

Species Group

Sea cucumbers

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

4 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Vulnerable
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author O'Loughlin, P. M.

Mark O'Loughlin is an Honorary Associate in marine invertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
O'Loughlin, P. M., 2011, Sea Cucumber, Apsolidium falconerae, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 27 Jul 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/4687

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