Elasipodida Explained

Elasipodida is an order of sea cucumbers. They have numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Although many species are benthic, a number are pelagic, and may have their appendages modified to form sails or fins. Most members of the order inhabit deep-sea environments, such as the species of the genus Enypniastes.^[1]

Classification

The following families are recognised in the order Elasipodida:^[2]

• family Elpidiidae Théel, 1882
• family Laetmogonidae Ekman, 1926
• family †Palaeolaetmogonidae Reich, 2012
• family Pelagothuriidae Ludwig, 1893
• family Psychropotidae Théel, 1882

References

• Book: Barnes, Robert D. . 1982 . Invertebrate Zoology . Holt-Saunders International . Philadelphia, PA. 995. 0-03-056747-5.
• Web site: Deep-Sea Swimming Sea Cucumbers and the "most bizarre holothurian species in existence"! . Mah . Christopher . September 18, 2012 . The Echinoblog .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Deep-Sea Swimming Sea Cucumbers and the "most bizarre holothurian species in existence"! . Mah . Christopher . September 18, 2012 . The Echinoblog .
2. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Elasipodida. 2021-07-16. www.marinespecies.org.