Ocnus planci is a species of sea cucumber in the family Cucumariidae.[1] It is native to the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean.
| Ocnus planci | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Holothuroidea |
| Order: | Dendrochirotida |
| Family: | Cucumariidae |
| Genus: | Ocnus |
| Species: | O. planci
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| Binomial name | |
| Ocnus planci | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description edit
Oncus planci is a cylindrically-shaped sea cucumber growing up to 150 mm (6 in) in length, and 35 mm (1.4 in) in diameter they have a brownish color, often with irregular dark brown patches. They have ten tentacles The eight large and two small feeding tentacles are branched, leaf-like, and lighter in colour than the body. They are suspension feeders.[2] They have retractile tube feet arranged in five zigzag double rows. They have thick smooth leathery skin which is strengthened with calcareous spicules; some of these are plates pierced by more than four holes, and others are cup-shaped.[3][2]
Reproduction edit
Oncus planci is known to show neoteny, which means the juvenile form is retained beyond the usual age of maturation. The neotenous form has a single row of tube feet and is less than an inch long. These individuals were at first mistaken for a separate species which was given the biological name Ocnus brunneus.[4]
The sexes are separate in this species and adults reproduce sexually by spawning in spring. The fertilised eggs are retained by the female on her tentacles where they develop directly into the adult form without undergoing metamorphosis. The neotenous form reproduces asexually by transverse binary fission.[5]
Distribution and habitat edit
These sea cucumbers are found in European waters and off the coast of West Africa. The neotenous form being distributed in the north. They are epifaunal species living on hard substrates, on rocks, shells, tubeworms and algae. They are found at depths of between 15 and 175 m (50 and 570 ft).[5] This species is found in Carlingford Lough and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, and because of its rarity there, it is listed as a Northern Ireland Priority Species.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b "Ocnus planci (Brandt, 1835)". WoRMS. WoRMS. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- ^ a b de Kluijver, M.J.; Ingalsuo, S.S. "Ocnus planci". Macrobenthos of the North Sea - Echinodermata. Marine Species Information Portal. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Ocnus planci". Marine Species of the North Sea. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- ^ McKenzie, J.D. (1984). "Description of a neotype for the holothurian Ocnus brunneus (Forbes MS in Thompson, 1840) from Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology Series. 47: 265–270.
- ^ a b c Allen & Mellon Environmental Ltd. "Oncus planci – a sea cucumber". Northern Ireland Priority Species. Retrieved 6 March 2020.