Variegated Sea Cucumber [Kirkpatrickia variolosa]
Description
This species is a benthic marine organism that dwells in the coastal areas of the Indo-Pacific region, specifically in the muddy or sandy bottoms. They are known for their variegated or mottled appearance, hence the name. These sea cucumbers have a cylindrical body covered in tube feet and can reach up to 20 cm in length. They are primarily nocturnal, spending the day buried in the substrate and emerging at night to feed on detritus and plankton.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Haplosclerida
Haplosclerida
|
| Family |
Yellow sponges
Chalinidae
|
| Genus |
Kirkpatrickia
Kirkpatrickia
|