Pearsonothuria graeffei
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Holothuroidea
Order
Aspidochirotida
Family
Holothuriidae
Genus
Pearsonothuria
Species
Pearsonothuria graeffei
Colours
Distinguishing features
Pearsonothuria graeffei is a medium-sized holothurian with a distinctive brown and cream blotchy colour pattern. The body wall is soft and pliable. It is active by day, often seen feeding with its large, flat-tipped tentacles.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
This species is common within the Lizard Island Group in reef habitats.
Behaviour
Pearsonothuria graeffei was observed spawning at Lizard Island at about 5 pm on 9 January 2002. The current was very strong at the time. Two individuals were perched on the highest point in the area and each animal had raised the anterior two thirds of its body into the water column. Spawn was released from the gonopore on the dorsal anterior surface.
Web resources
References
- Byrne Uthicke, S.M. and C. Conand (2010). Genetic barcoding of commercial beche-de-mer species (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea), Molecular Ecology Resources, 10: 634-646. LIRS catalog number 1321.
- Cannon, L.R.G. and H. Silver (1986). Sea Cucumbers of Northern Australia Queensland Museum, Brisbane. LIRS catalog number 229.
- Rowe, F.W.E. and J. Gates (1995). Echinodermata in: Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33, xiii, 510 pp. Wells, A. (Ed.). CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia.