|
Parastichopus californicus - California sea cucumber
Geographic range:
Alaska to Baja California
Key features:
Numerous conical, thorn-like projections cover this large sea cucumber.
Similar species:
Parastichopus parvimensis -- Warty sea cucumber
Habitat(s):
bay (rocky shore), bay (sandy shore), exposed rocky shore, kelp forest, protected rocky shore
|
|
| |
Primary common name:
California sea cucumber |
|
ITIS code:
158344 |
Synonymous name(s):
Stichopus californicus, Holothuria californica |
General grouping:
Sea stars, urchins, cucumbers, sand dollars, brittle stars |
| Geographic Range |
Range description:
Alaska to Isla Cedros, Baja California |
Northern latitude extent:
-- |
|
Southern latitude extent:
-- |
East longitude extent:
-- |
|
West longitude extent:
-- |
| Intertidal Height |
Lowest intertidal height:
-0.6006006 meters OR -2 feet |
|
Highest intertidal height:
0 meters OR 0 feet |
Intertidal height notes:
Uncommon in the intertidal. |
| Subtidal Depth Range |
Minimum depth:
0 meters OR 0 feet |
|
Maximum depth:
90 meters OR 299.7 feet |
Subtidal depth notes:
Can be very common at some sites. |
| Habitats |
Habitat(s):
bay (rocky shore), bay (sandy shore), exposed rocky shore, kelp forest, protected rocky shore |
Habitat notes:
-- |
| Abundance |
Relative abundance:
Uncommon to common |
| Species Description |
General description:
This is one of two very large sea cucumbers encountered by divers in central California. Parastichopus californicus elongate, reaching lengths up to 40 cm and a diameter of 4-5 cm. Coloring ranges from a light or golden brown to deep red. Juveniles <15 cm are mottled, with light tan patches intermixed with red and brown. Adults can also be splotchy, with color often on the numerous conical papillae and their bases.
Tube feet are located ventrally. While retaining the hallmark radial symmetry of echinoderms, there is also a derived bilaterally symmetry, with all the tube feet on the bottom. Lacking calcareous spines, ossicles or plates, cucumbers can contract when disturbed, transforming from a floppy, elongate tube into a very turgid, sub-spherical ball.
|
Distinctive features:
Numerous conical papillae project from the upper parts of this cucumber, much like thorns on a rose. However, these papillae are fleshy and flimsy, offering little physical protection. Numerous tube feet are located ventrally. |
Size:
Body diameter: to 5 cm
Length: to 40 cm
|
| Natural History |
General natural history:
Parastichopus californicus is a very large sea cucumber, and roams the sea floor feeding on detritus. Like an earthworm, the cucumber ingests both detritus and inorganic material, digesting the organic material and passing a great deal of inorganic debris through. Often seen trailing behind these cucumbers are packets of processed inorganics.
Although formidable in appearance, the conical papillae covering the cucumber are very flimsy. When disturbed, the primary defensive mechanism is to contract the longitudinal muscle bands, causing the cucumber to contract lengthwise, and with internal fluids, become very turgid and tough.
|
Predator(s):
They may be preyed upon by sea stars such as Pycnopodia helianthoides and Solaster. |
Prey:
Detritus. |
| Feeding behavior |
Feeding behavior(s):
Deposit feeder |
Feeding behavior notes:
Unlike other cucumbers that remain sedentary and filter the water column, Parastichopus californicus moves constantly, albeit slowly, dabbing the surface with its compact but highly branched oral tentacles. These sturdy tentacles have a large surface area and adhere both organic and inorganic material. |
| |
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary:
-- |
| |
Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary:
-- |
| |
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary:
This species is commercially targeted in parts of California. It is unknown whether a fishery management plan is in place. |
| |
Listing Status:
-- |
| |
Monitoring Trends:
-- |
| |
|
|
References:
|
Carlton, J.T. 2007.
The Light and Smith Manual, 4th edition
Intertidal Invertebrates from Central California to Oregon
University of California Press. 1001 p.
|
|
| Gotshall, D. 2005. Guide to marine invertebrates : Alaska to Baja California. Sea Challengers, Monterey, CA. 117 p. |
|
| Lamb, A. and B. P. Hanby. 2005. Marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Harbour Publishing. 398 p. |
|
| Morris, R.H., D.P Abbott, and E.C. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 690 p. |
|
| Pearse, V., J. Pearse, M. Buchsbaum, and R. Buchsbaum. 1994. Living invertebrates. Boxwood Press. 848 p. |
|
| |
Data supplied by SIMoN Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network
Contact
| Terms of Use
| Article Submission Terms
| Advertising
| Fish Supplier Registration
| Equipment Supplier Registration
© 2012 Ascot International All Rights Reserved | Powered by Successful
Hosting
|
|
