This Sea Cucumber has Dr. Bill and others stumped!
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OP
Don't worry Alberto... it was overcast here today, although the forecast is for sunny and 82-84 degrees F Sat-Sun.
Another SB member has suggested it might be Holothuria impatiens, but that species is supposed to be no longer than 6" and these were 8-12"
Another SB member has suggested it might be Holothuria impatiens, but that species is supposed to be no longer than 6" and these were 8-12"
OP
Bump... still stumped on this one. No definitive word from the echinoderm specialists until I can get a permit and collect one.
The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
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That's because it's not a sea cucumber, Dr. Bill.
It's a sea zucchini.
the K-ucumber Expert
It's a sea zucchini.
the K-ucumber Expert
OP
Oooh, I love zucchini.
I thought I'd add text from the rough draft of the narration for the segment in my upcoming DVD on this species. It gives reasons why it probably isn't any of the three Cucumaria species that were suggested:
The many echinoderm specialists I've contacted have been unwilling to guess this species' identity based on the images alone. Identification will require the collection of several individuals and microscopic analysis of the calcium carbonate spicules or ossicles in their skin. Divers were more willing to offer suggestions including Holothuria zacae, Holothuria atra, and Holothuria impatiens.
Although Holothuria zacae is present off Catalina Island as evidenced by the previous segment, individuals I have seen here are different in appearance and habitat preference.
The black sea cucumber, Holothuria atra is quite variable in appearance. Some specimens look similar to this undetermined species. However, the black sea cucumber lacks Cuvierian tubules so it can't be that species.
The third species suggested, Holothria impatiens, is known as the bottleneck, brown spotted, impatient or six banded sea cucumber. Its body color can be brown or even purple. It also has Cuvierian tubules. However, it is a circumtropical, southern species not even found as far north as the Pacific coast of Baja California. They are also smaller in size with a maximum reported length of 6 1/2 inches, apparently eliminating them as a candidate.
I thought I'd add text from the rough draft of the narration for the segment in my upcoming DVD on this species. It gives reasons why it probably isn't any of the three Cucumaria species that were suggested:
The many echinoderm specialists I've contacted have been unwilling to guess this species' identity based on the images alone. Identification will require the collection of several individuals and microscopic analysis of the calcium carbonate spicules or ossicles in their skin. Divers were more willing to offer suggestions including Holothuria zacae, Holothuria atra, and Holothuria impatiens.
Although Holothuria zacae is present off Catalina Island as evidenced by the previous segment, individuals I have seen here are different in appearance and habitat preference.
The black sea cucumber, Holothuria atra is quite variable in appearance. Some specimens look similar to this undetermined species. However, the black sea cucumber lacks Cuvierian tubules so it can't be that species.
The third species suggested, Holothria impatiens, is known as the bottleneck, brown spotted, impatient or six banded sea cucumber. Its body color can be brown or even purple. It also has Cuvierian tubules. However, it is a circumtropical, southern species not even found as far north as the Pacific coast of Baja California. They are also smaller in size with a maximum reported length of 6 1/2 inches, apparently eliminating them as a candidate.
The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Yeah, that's what I was gonna say . . .
the K
the K
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