PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sea Cucumber 

Psolidiella nigra Mortensen, 1925

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Ossicles are rare or absent in the dorsal body wall, except for the closely perforated round endplates of the tube feet. Up to about 30 mm long, soft rounded body with upturned oral and anal ends, pale to dark brown, distinct off-white oval sole for attachment.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Echinodermata
Class:
Holothuroidea
Order:
Dendrochirotida
Family:
Cucumariidae
Genus:
Psolidiella
Species:
nigra

General Description

Body soft, rounded with upturned oral (mouth) and anal ends, pale to dark brown with underneath white. Flat, oval white sole on ventral side (underneath). Up to 3 cm long.

Biology

These animals are difficult to find because they are camouflaged with sand and algal fragments held by their small dorsal and lateral tube feet. Females brood-protect eggs and embryos in individual pockets around the oral cone (mouth area).

Habitat

Around and under rocks, also in seaweed, to depth of at least 2 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

New Zealand, Tasmania and eastern Victoria.

Species Group

Sea cucumbers

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

3 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • 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, Psolidiella nigra, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 22 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/4709

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