The Sea Cucumber is a species in the class of Holothuroidea (Sea Cucumbers) and thus belongs to the phylum of Echinodermata. Holothuria arguinensis was first described by Köhler and Vaney in 1906
Description, Anatomy & Features
The Sea Cucumber has a tubular body that is almost round in cross section. Both front and rear ends are spherically rounded. Their colouring is light brown to orange and spines spread over the entire body.
Holothuria arguinensis can grow up to 30cm long and reach a diameter of 6cm.
Habitat, Occurrence & Distribution
The sea cucumber lives on sandy and muddy ground, in depths down to 52m.
When diving in the Canary Islands, Holothuria aguinensis can rarely be observed. So far I have only discovered them myself in flat areas protected from the surf.
Its general range extends from the western Mediterranean to the adjoining Atlantic regions. They can be found, for example, on the European coast from Norway to Portugal, the British Isles, the Azores and the coasts of Morocco and Mauritania.
Biology & Feeding
The sea cucumber is a nocturnal species. Their diet consists of detritus, debris, invertebrates and sediment.
Holothuria arguinensis is of separate sex. Spawning and fertilization take place outside the body.
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