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 e
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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