Synaptula recta

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Holothuroidea · Order: Apodida · Family: Synaptidae · Genus: Synaptula.

Accepted name: Synaptula recta · Authority: (Semper, 1867) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 210980.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chondrocloea (Synapta) striata (Sluiter, 1887); Chondrocloea albo-punctata Sluiter, 1901; Chondrocloea recta (Semper, 1867); Synapta recta Semper, 1867; Synapta striata Sluiter, 1887; Synaptula boweniensis Heding, 1931; Synaptula rubra Heding, 1931; Synaptula striata (Sluiter, 1887).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=210980 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Synaptula recta. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 0–20 m · Habitat zone: benthic.

SeaLifeBase notes: Deposit feeder (Ref. 116259).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 139288) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Synaptula-recta.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

175 georeferenced occurrence records for Synaptula recta are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 55 distinct locations from a sample of 175 records, omitting 14 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (166); Philippines (3); Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2); Indonesia (1); India (1); Comoros (1); Timor-Leste (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Red Sea; Djiboutian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4341997) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4341997&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=210980 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Synaptula recta is an elongated sea cucumber growing to a maximum length of about 40 cm. The mouth is at the anterior end and is surrounded by thirteen feeding tentacles. The colour is variable but it is often a deep colour, ranging from dark reddish-purple to a fairly bright red, olive or a pattern of longitudinal lilac stripes on a pale background. The calcareous spicules in the cuticle consist of anchors with knobbed ends and curved bodies. The tips of these spicules project through the cuticle and help give traction during locomotion which is performed by peristalsis, synaptids having no tube feet.

Synaptula recta is native to the tropical western Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the Red Sea, the Maldives and Sri Lanka to northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and several Pacific island groups. It inhabits coastal waters and reefs, sand flats and seagrass meadows and occurs at depths down to about 20 m.

Synaptula recta is nocturnal and feeds on detritus and planktonic particles which it sweeps into its mouth with its feeding tentacles. It is often found moving over and feeding on debris on the surfaces of sponges.

The sexes are separate and fertilisation is external. The larvae are planktonic, the first-stage auricularia larvae developing into barrel-shaped, doliolaria larvae which when sufficiently developed settle on the seabed and undergo metamorphosis into juvenile sea cucumbers.

Source: Wikipedia: Synaptula recta — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptula_recta (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.