| Elpidiidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scotoplanes globosa | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Holothuroidea |
| Order: | Elasipodida |
| Family: | Elpidiidae Théel, 1882 [1] |
| Genera | |
|
See text | |
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 well, pointing upwards. Some species can also show swimming appendages on top of the mouth. Sea pigs live in the darkest parts of the ocean. When introduced to warm waters, their bodies disintegrate, making them vulnerable to sudden heat changes.
Genera
The following genera are recognised in the family Elpidiidae:[1]
- Achlyonice Théel, 1879
- Amperima Pawson, 1965
- Ellipinion Hérouard, 1923
- Elpidia Théel, 1876
- Irpa Danielssen & Koren, 1878
- Kolga Danielssen & Koren, 1879
- Peniagone Théel, 1882
- Penilpidia Gebruk, 1988
- Protelpidia Gebruk, 1983
- Psychrelpidia Hérouard, 1923
- Psychroplanes Gebruk, 1988
- Rhipidothuria Hérouard, 1901
- Scotoplanes Théel, 1882
Probable Amperima sp. (2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft) deep off Hawaii)
References
- 1 2 Paulay, Gustav (2014). "Elpidiidae – Théel, 1882". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-10-31.
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