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Pentamera pseudocalcigera Deichmann, 1938b
Sea Cucumber
Family: Phyllophoridae

Photograph

© Royal BC Museum     (Photo ID #2331)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Pentamera pseudocalcigera in British Columbia in British Columbia

Illustration

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Species Information

Pentamera pseudocalcigera is V-shaped, and can grow up to 10 cm long. Its anterior end is bluntly pointed; the posterior end is longer and more tapered. This species is usually white or beige. In preserved specimens the tube feet are yellowish white, and on a slightly raised ridge above the smooth, pale purple skin. The bands of tube feet are made up of two to four rows each. Each tube foot has a broad base that tapers quickly to the tip. The introvert and 10 tentacles usually have peppery brown spots. The two ventral tentacles are about halfthe size of the others.

Skin ossicles: large triangular to star-shaped perforated plates; a few may have a minute spire in the centre; curved supporting rods in the tube feet with a large complex spire.

Similar Species

Compared to other Pentamera species, P. pseudocalcigera is larger. It has a long tapering tail rather than a nipple like tail; and it has conical, rather than thin, cylindrical tube feet.

Biology

Etymology

pseudocalcigera = false calcigera
Biology

Little is known about the biology of this species. It most likely feeds on organic deposits in the mud.

Habitat


P. pseudocalcigera is commonly dredged from mud or sandy mud in well-flushed areas - not within fjords that have limited circulation. Its U-shape implies that the two ends lie at the mud surface with the body buried below.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)
COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

General References