Molpadiidae

Molpadiidae is a family of sea cucumbers, marine invertebrates with elongated bodies, leathery skins and tentacles that are found on or burrowing in the sea floor.

Molpadiidae
Molpadia sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Molpadida
Family: Molpadiidae
Müller, 1850 [1]
Genera

See text

Synonyms

Trochostomidae Östergren, 1907

Description

Members of Molpadiidae are fairly small, plump sea cucumbers with a smooth or slimy skin and no tube feet. They are relatively inactive and live in a "U"-shaped burrow in sand or mud at the bottom of the sea, often at considerable depths. Their tentacles spread out above the sediment to catch food particles.[2]

Genera

The following genera are accepted as being in the family Molpadiidae:

  • Cherbonniera Sibuet, 1974
  • Heteromolpadia Pawson, 1963
  • Molpadia Cuvier, 1817

References
  1. World Register of Marine Species
  2. Marine Species Identification Portal


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