Elasipodida is an
order of
sea cucumbers. They have numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Although many species are
benthic, a number are
pelagic
The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean, and can be further divided into regions by depth (as illustrated on the right). The word ''pelagic'' is derived . The pelagic zone can be thought of as an imaginary cylinder or w ...
, and may have their appendages modified to form sails or fins. Most members of the order inhabit deep-sea environments, such as the species of the genus ''
Enypniastes
''Enypniastes'' is a genus of deep-sea sea cucumber. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Enypniastes eximia''. Due to its unique appearance, the species has been dubbed the headless chicken fish, headless chicken monster, ...
''.
Classification
The following families are recognised in the order Elasipodida:
* family
Elpidiidae
Elpidiidae is a family of deep-sea sea cucumbers.
They have a translucent body with long and stout podia acting like legs. The mouth is surrounded by thick and short oral tentacles, and the dorsal part often shows pairs of elongated podia as we ...
Théel, 1882
* family
Laetmogonidae
Laetmogonidae is a family of sea cucumbers
Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea (). They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the ...
Ekman, 1926
* family †
Palaeolaetmogonidae Reich, 2012
* family
Pelagothuriidae
Pelagothuriidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. They are somewhat unusual in appearance, in comparison with other sea cucumbers, having numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Most of them are bent ...
Ludwig, 1893
* family
Psychropotidae
Psychropotidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. The geographic range of some psychropotids is very extensive at abyssal depths, whereas other species are found within more restricted ranges.P. A. Tyler & D. S. M. Billett (1988) Th ...
Théel, 1882
Image:Pelagothuria natatrix.jpg, The only true pelagic echinoderm known to date : ''Pelagothuria natatrix
''Pelagothuria'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Pelagothuriidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Pelagothuria natatrix''.
Characteristics
This sea cucumber is somewhat unusual in appearance in comparison ...
'' (here close to the Galapagos).
Image:Expl0790 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg, ''Benthodytes
''Benthodytes'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Psychropotidae.
Discovery
This group of sea cucumbers was first described by scientists aboard the H.M.S. Challenger during its 1873-1876 voyage.Théel, H. (1882). Report on the Holothur ...
sp.''
Image:Scotoplanes globosa and crab.jpg, ''Scotoplanes
''Scotoplanes'' is a genus of deep-sea sea cucumbers of the family Elpidiidae. Its species are commonly known as sea pigs.
Locomotion
Members of the Elpidiidae have particularly enlarged tube "feet" that have taken on a leg-like appearance, usi ...
globosa'' (a.k.a. "sea pig", family Elpidiidae
Elpidiidae is a family of deep-sea sea cucumbers.
They have a translucent body with long and stout podia acting like legs. The mouth is surrounded by thick and short oral tentacles, and the dorsal part often shows pairs of elongated podia as we ...
)
Image:Expl5475.jpg, A Pelagothuriidae
Pelagothuriidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. They are somewhat unusual in appearance, in comparison with other sea cucumbers, having numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Most of them are bent ...
Image:Expl5494.jpg, A Psychropotidae
Psychropotidae is a family of deep-sea swimming sea cucumbers. The geographic range of some psychropotids is very extensive at abyssal depths, whereas other species are found within more restricted ranges.P. A. Tyler & D. S. M. Billett (1988) Th ...
References
*
*
Notes
Echinoderm orders
{{Holothuroidea-stub