Synaptidae
Sea cucumbers lacking tube feet and radial canals.
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Synaptidae is a family of sea cucumbers distinguished by the absence of several typical anatomical features, including tube feet, tentacle ampullae, retractor muscles, respiratory trees, cuvierian tubules, and radial canals of the water-vascular system; only the circumoral ring is present. They are notable for their elongated bodies, active peristaltic movement, and a sticky tegument caused by anchor-like spicules that project through the skin.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumEchinodermata
- ClassHolothuroidea
- OrderApodida
- FamilySynaptidae
Named by Burmeister, 1837
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Synaptidae (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Largest species length
- 2 metres
- Largest species
- Synapta maculata
- Number of extinct genera
- 2
- Most species rich genus
- Protankyra (37 species)
Facts from the source article.
Background
Synaptidae sea cucumbers have elongated bodies that vary significantly in size, from small to quite large; Synapta maculata grows to two metres in length. They are quite active, moving by means of waves of peristaltic contractions. Their tegument is somewhat sticky because of the anchor-like spicules that project through the skin.
The family lacks tube feet, tentacle ampullae, retractor muscles, respiratory trees, cuvierian tubules, and radial canals of the water-vascular system, with only the circumoral ring present. According to the World Register of Marine Species, the family includes 16 extant genera and two extinct genera, with species counts ranging from 1 (e.g., Dactylapta, Rhabdomolgus) to 37 (Protankyra).
More in Sea Cucumbers
Elsewhere in Sea Cucumbers and Brittle Stars
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Synaptidae (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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