Sulfur Sea Cucumber, Holothuria (selenkothuria) lubrica

Sulfur Sea Cucumber, Holothuria (selenkothuria) lubrica. Length: 15 cm (5.9 inches). Sea Cucumber collected from a tidal pool in the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, November 2013. Identification courtesy of Dr. Francisco A. Solís-Marín, Mexico City.

Phylogeny:  The Sulphur Sea Cucumber Holothuria (selenkothuria) lubrica (Selenka, 1867), is a member of Holothuriidae family of Sea Cucumbers. The genus Holothuria is one of five genera in this family. There are one hundred and sixty species in this genus. They are known in Mexico as Pepino de Mar de Azufre.

Morphology:  Sulphur Sea Cucumbers have a round tubular body that is slightly larger at one end, with a tapered head. The oral tentacles are fairly large. Their dorsal surface is covered with small papillae. The Sulphur colored tube feet, on the ventral surface, give this species its common name. They may be brown, gray, or black in color, with some having an orange underside. Sulphur Sea Cucumbers reach 16 cm (6.5 inches) in length.

Habitat and Distribution: Sulphur Sea Cucumbers are found on rocks, mud, and sand within the intertidal zone to depths up to 55 m (180 feet). They are a tropical Eastern Pacific species that are found in Mexican waters of the Pacific Ocean from Punta Eugenia, Baja California Sur south to Guatemala, including the Tres Marias and Revillagigedos Islands. They are abundant throughout the Sea of Cortez.

Diet:  Sulphur Sea Cucumbers are a poorly studied and understood species. There is very limited documentation of their diet. Other sea cucumbers in this genus are detritivores ingesting sea floor sediment and digest the organic matter and expelling the remaining sand and non-digestible matter.

Predators:  Sulphur Sea Cucumbers are a poorly studied and understood species.  Documentation regarding their predation is very limited. Other sea cucumbers in this genus are prey for anemones, shore birds, crabs, fish, gastropods, octopuses, and sea stars.

Reproduction:  Sulphur Sea Cucumbers are gonochoric (male or female for life). They reproduce sexually through broadcast spawning, with external fertilization. The gametes form planktonic larvae.  After several weeks the larvae settle to the bottom to begin their benthic life.

Ecosystem Interactions: Sulphur Sea Cucumbers involvement in any types of  commensal, parasitic or symbiotic relationships has not been documented. Similar sea cucumbers host parasitic bacteria, metazoa and protozoa.

Human Interactions: Sulphur Sea Cumbers comprise a small commercial fishery in Mexico. They are sold in Asia, primarily in China. Otherwise, Sulphur Sea Cucumbers have no direct impact on human activities. From a conservation perspective the Sulphur Sea Cucumber and common with a wide distribution and should be considered to be of Least Concern.

Synonym:  Holothuria kapiolaniae, Holothuria lubrica, and Holothuria pseudo-lubrica.