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Pelagothuria natatrix Ludwig, 1893 |
| No Picture Available |
| Family: | Pelagothuriidae () | |||
| Max. size: | ||||
| Environment: | pelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 4505 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Pacific. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Shape is a reminiscent of a medusa that resembles a jellyfish. Body conical, which supports an enormous umbrella-like veil. The veil extended anteriorly, composed of 12-16 large webbed podia. Body wall transparent and pigmented pale violet or pink. | |||
| Biology: | Only known truly pelagic holothurian, floating or drifting near seafloor or high in the water column (Refs. 109722, 129602). Also known as a swimmng sea cucumber, it is found in low oxygen areas and is assumed as a tactic to avoid predators that are more oxygen-hungry and could easily suffocate (Ref. 127487). Feeds on resuspended sediments or detrital material from shallower depths (Ref. 109722). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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