Anyone have a clue?

[szohn]

Utila 6/9/2006
40' Morning dive
Approximately 18"
No one at Deepblue divers could identify it.
http://www.toptown.com/divephotos/utila3/target26.html
http://www.toptown.com/divephotos/utila3/target27.html

 

[TheRedHead]

Looks like a sea cucumber of some sort.

 

[redrover]

Details help, where in world, depth, approx size.

 

[TheRedHead]

Details help, where in world, depth, approx size.

He wrote Utilla and 18 inches long.

 

[kallardnyc]

http://www.mbl.edu/marine_org/marine_org.php?func=detail&myID=BX838

 

[LeslieH]

Actually it's a sipunculid worm, possibly in the genus Sipunculus. The reticulate pattern on the skin is one of the reasons why this group of animals is called peanut worms.

 

[kallardnyc]

I will have to disagree. Most (the Peanut Worm actually smaller) Sipunculids achieve a length between 10-15 cm. The OP clearly stated a length of over 45 cm.

 

[redrover]

He wrote Utilla and 18 inches long.

Oops. Maybe that yellow head banging thingy blocks portions of thread. (local humor http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=146113 no need to go there - just admitting my failure to pay adequate attention to detail.)

 

[szohn]

Thanks folks! I think kallardnyc got it right. Everyone's first thought was sea cucumber, but no one knew of a burrowing one.

 

[LeslieH]

Nope, nope, nope. I'm sticking with Sipunculus as I've seen live specimens before. Take a look at this page:
http://www.uco-bn.fr/Galerie_Biolog...es/Sipunculus nudus Tournemine(22) Juin99.htm

Sipuncs are reported up to 70 cm in length.