Actinopyga capillata
(Rowe and Massin, 2006)
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
Actinopyga capillata is one of the three "star" sea cucumber found in Oman. The star refers to a series of 5 anal teeth that surround the anus and have given the name to the genus (Actino = star, pyga = "bottom"). This species is quite distinctive with its molted pattern of brown and pink, numerous tube feet distributed on both the trivium and the bivium. The specimens from Oman appear somewhat larger than the original description but otherwise are quite similar. The long dorsal tube feet are also quite typical of this species. For all the specimens of this unusual species have been found between Sadh and Mirbat in Dhofar.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
Actinopyga capillata has only been recorded near Mirbat and Sadah. World wide, the original description was from specimens from Mauritius, but seem to extend along the western Indian Ocean.
IUCN status
Data deficient (DD)
Data deficient (DD)
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
Actinopyga capillata is a recently described species (2006) and as such, its full distribution and ecology are still fragmentary. Observations from Mauritius describe this species as feeding on fine sediments coverin macro algae and dead corals; this seem to be the case in Oman as well. It is also described as having nocturnal habits, which may explain why it is rarely seen.