Holothuria (Platyperona) dificilis
Semper,1868
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
Holothuria (Platyperona) difficilis is a small sea cucumber: most specimens do not exceed 7cm in length, much less when contracted. It is nearly cylindrical, brown or dark brown in color with slightly darker and lighter papillae. The papillae on the bivium (dorsal side) are irregularly spaced. The tegument is thick and rough. Often the bivium papillae are located on slightly and lighter in color conical bulges of the tegument. Its species name "difficilis" refers perhaps to its "difficult" behavior for collector as it nearly always ejects its thin, numerous and very sticky cuvier's tubules when manipulated.
The 20 oral tentacles are relatively long and shaped like little flowers, often somewhat paler than the body.
The 20 oral tentacles are relatively long and shaped like little flowers, often somewhat paler than the body.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
Holothuria difficilis is not rare but highly cryptic. So far, it has only be found under rocks and boulders.
Worldwide, it is distributed across the Indo-Pacific ocean, from the Red Sea to Madagascar all the way to the tropical Pacific American coast.
Worldwide, it is distributed across the Indo-Pacific ocean, from the Red Sea to Madagascar all the way to the tropical Pacific American coast.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
Holothuria difficilis, like several other species of Holothuridae is capable of both sexual (with a pelagic larvae) and asexual reproduction by fission. When disturbed, this species eject readily a large number of thin, white and very sticky cuvier tubules.