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Opheodesoma spectabilis is a synaptid sea cucumber in the Indo-Pacific that can be locally very abundant.
Description
With their flexible, wormlike bodies and mouth surrounded by tentacles[1] Opheodesoma spectabilis varies in color[2]. From a shade of gray when above water, to a rich chocolate brown [2] or “bloodsucker” red when below water[3].
Biology
As sea cucumbers most commonly do, the Opheodesoma are invertebrates that start their life cycle as Planktotrophic larvae. They then grow into cylinder-shaped doliolaria who metamorphose into the juvenile opheodesoma spectabilis you often see today[4].
Distribution & Habitat
Opheodesoma spectabilis is located in subtropical and tropical areas such as New Caledonia, Hawaii, the Indo-Pacific[5], East Africa, and Guam[6]. Generally found at the bottom of the ocean floor within the sand, crumble, shells, [3] and brown algae called Sargassum[7].
Diet
These conspicuous creatures are bottom feeders, aka reef janitors. Their diets mainly consist of dead plant and animal particles. This animal eats by accumulating the particles with its tentacles and then depositing said particles into its mouth[8].
References edit
- ^ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 25 (help) - ^ a b "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ a b "Conspicuous Sea Cucumbers". Project Noah. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "Opheodesoma spectabilis, Conspicuous sea cucumber". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "Conspicuous Sea Cucumber, Opheodesoma spectabilis". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "Opheodesoma spectabilis Sea Cucumber". www.reeflex.net. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
- ^ "CRAMP: Island of Oahu". cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ Scott, By Susan; Dec. 6, 2010 (2010-12-06). "Squishy sea cucumbers reside in Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe Bay". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
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Comments by Anuschka:
- nice work. Great resource formatting.
- try to write in an objective, fact-centered and concise way. I did some editing and added comments.
- make sure your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to read.