species: Euapta godeffroyi in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Euapta godeffroyi


©Lyle Vail: Euapta godeffroyi at North Point, Lizard Island, was under rubble.

©Lyle Vail: Euapta godeffroyi at North Point, was under rubble

©Lyle Vail: Euapta godeffroyi at North Point, was under rubble. Body diameter is about 40 mm, length at least 1 metre.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Apodida
Family Synaptidae
Genus Euapta
Species Euapta godeffroyi
Status unspecified

Colours

              

Distinguishing features

A large, long, active holothurian with a very thin body wall that clings when touched. Colour is distinctive: white mottled with brown and grey/green longitudinal stripes bordered with yellow in patches. There are 15 tentacles at the mouth. Usually hidden under rubble during the day. They move by waves of contractions aided by the clinging nature of the skin. Clinging is caused by microscopic anchor-shaped spicules that can protrude through the skin.

Size

  • Up to 100 cm (Length of specimen)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia: This species is probably reasonably abundant around Lizard Island but it is not often seen because of its cryptic habits.

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Coleman, N. (2007). Sea Stars: Echinoderms of the Asia/Indo-Pacific Neville Coleman's Underwater Geographic, Springwood, Qld. Australia.

Other references

  • Cannon, L.R.G. and H. Silver (1986). Sea Cucumbers of Northern Australia Queensland Museum, Brisbane. LIRS catalog number 229.