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Sea Cucumbers of Zihuatanejo

CLASS HOLOTHRUROIDEA

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Class Holothuroidea comprises the sea cucumbers, a group of marine echinoderms within the phylum Echinodermata. Found in oceans worldwide, from shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds to the deepest ocean trenches, sea cucumbers are characterized by their elongated, soft-bodied form and a reduced internal skeleton consisting of tiny calcareous ossicles embedded in the skin.  Around the mouth is a ring of specialized feeding tentacles used to collect organic particles, plankton, or sediment. Most species are deposit feeders that ingest sand and mud, extracting nutrients and helping recycle organic matter, while others are suspension feeders that capture food from the water column.

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