Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)

Sea cucumber is a marine organism
belonging to the phylum Enchinodermata,
which also include sea urchin and sea star.
There are several species of holothurians
found in the northwest Atlantic but the most
common in nearshore areas is C. frondosa.
Similar to other sea cucumber species, C.
frondosa has a tube-shaped elongated body
with a mouth at one end and an anus at the
other (Fig.1 and 2). The mouth is typically
surrounded by one or two rows of branching
tentacles used for feeding. During feeding,
the sea cucumber will extend its tentacles,
which are covered with sticky mucus, into the
surrounding water until they are filled with
food particles. The sea cucumber is classified
as a suspension feeder, taking in small bits of
detritus and microscopic organisms that float
near the sea bottom. They are also known to
take food particles from the seabed or burrow
into the sediment in search of food. The sea
cucumber has a green to brown leathery skin
with five rows of tube feet used for
locomotion and attachment. The body is
extremely flexible and can tighten into a knot
when stressed, often eviscerating (casting
off) its internal body organs, which can be
regenerated. This species can grow to a
maximum length of 50 cm, a width of 10 cm
and weigh 2 to 5 kg. The body wall, which has
a moisture content of 80 %, makes up about
50 % of the total body weight of the organism