General Description
Body cucumber-shaped, soft, dark brown to mottled to pale yellow. Tube feet ventrally (underneath), conical pointed papillae over rest of body. Young individuals are white with prominent papillae, and move with a caterpillar-like action. Up to 20 cm long.
Biology
This is one of the biggest holothuroid species in south-eastern Australia. Juveniles are quite different in appearance to the adults and were initially thought to be a different species. This species was first described and named from New Zealand.
Distribution
New Zealand and southern Australia.
Habitat
Under surface of rocks, in sediment, and occasionally on exposed rock surfaces, to depth of at least 40 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Cucumber shape, dark brown to yellow or white, pointed papillae.
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Colours
Brown, Yellow, White
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Maximum Size
20 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Organic matter
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Least Concern
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Hutton, 1872)
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Common Name
Soft Sea Cucumber
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Phylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
mollis
