Diet

• Holothuria is a large and diverse genus of sea cucumbers, and most species are deposit feeders. They ingest sand or sediment and digest the organic material, microorganisms and detritus contained within it.

• Many species use their oral tentacles to collect sediment from the seafloor, helping to process and recycle organic material and nutrients within marine sediments.

Range

• Holothuria is a widespread marine genus occurring in tropical and subtropical seas. It is especially diverse in the Indo-Pacific, but several species occur in the eastern Pacific and western Atlantic. The genus is currently accepted and contains well over 100 species.

• Several Holothuria species occur along the tropical eastern Pacific coast of Mexico.

• The genus is represented in the Zihuatanejo area.

Habitat

• Species of Holothuria occupy a wide variety of marine habitats, including rocky reefs, coral reefs, sandy bottoms, seagrass beds and soft sediment. Depth varies greatly among species, from shallow intertidal habitats to considerably deeper water.

• Eastern Pacific species occur on both rocky and soft-bottom habitats. Some live among rocks and reef structures, while others are more closely associated with sand or sediment.

• Around Zihuatanejo, Holothuria sea cucumbers can be found on rocky reefs and other shallow subtidal substrates, where they contribute to the processing of organic material in the seafloor sediments.

Description

• Holothuria species are generally cylindrical, soft-bodied sea cucumbers with a flexible body, a mouth surrounded by numerous feeding tentacles and a terminal anus. Their bodies lack the hard external skeleton characteristic of sea urchins, although microscopic calcareous ossicles embedded in the skin provide structural support.

• Size, colour and body texture vary greatly among species. Some are smooth and brightly coloured, while others have rough, papillose bodies with contrasting spots, bands or raised projections.