Holothuria (Halodeima) atra
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
This is one of the 3 "black sea cucumber" species found in Oman. This species is cylindrical in shape and almost always covered with a thin mucus covered with sediment which is regularly interrupted by two series of black "holes". It is found in the shallower part of the reef although often on sediment between coral heads.
It is considerably smaller than Holothuria leucospilota which also tapers on the bucal side.
Because of differences in skeletal spicules, the species is attached to a subgenus: Halodeima.
It is considerably smaller than Holothuria leucospilota which also tapers on the bucal side.
Because of differences in skeletal spicules, the species is attached to a subgenus: Halodeima.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
Holothurian aura is found nearly everywhere in Oman but their relative abundance fluctuates from reef to reef. In some reefs if forms aggregations of several hundreds of individuals over a few hundreds square meters.
This species has a wide distribution in the Info-Pacific, from the red sea to Hawaii.
This species has a wide distribution in the Info-Pacific, from the red sea to Hawaii.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
Holothuria atra lives on sediments that it eats to extract the organic matter between the grains of sands. It does not "hide" during the day and is often found is association with H. leucospilota and H. edulis.
Although it does not seems to do this in Oman, as a mean of defense H. atra exudates a red substances when disturbed. This may indicate a difference between this species and that from other regions of the world.
Although it does not seems to do this in Oman, as a mean of defense H. atra exudates a red substances when disturbed. This may indicate a difference between this species and that from other regions of the world.