Plankton luminescent Echinodermata

Updated October 25, 1999. Herring (1995) has listed about 30 luminescent Holothuroidea. However, according to Miller & Pawson (1990: 3), there is only one truly pelagic species, Pelagothuria natatrix. Other luminescent species listed by Herring do not really belong to plancton: they are benthopelagic or only facultive swimmers (see list).

Class Holothuroidea
Order Elasipodida
Family Pelagothuriidae

? Pelagothuria natatrix Ludwig, 1894 - Pelagic

Enypniastes eximia Théel, 1882 - Benthopelagic

Family Elpidiidae

Peniagone diaphana (Théel, 1882) - Benthopelagic

Family Psychropotidae

Benthodytes typica Théel, 1882 - Benthopelagic
Psychropotes depressa (Théel, 1882) - Facultative swimmer

Order Aspidochirotida
Family Synallactidae

Galatheathuria sp. n. in Herring (1974: 411) - Bathypelagic

Paelopatides gigantea (Verrill, 1884) - Facultative swimmer

Paelopatides grisea R. Perrier, 1902 - Facultative swimmer

Scotothuria herringi Hansen, 1978 - Benthopelagic

LUMINESCENCE - Herring (1974, 1987, 1995); Robison (1992); Widder (1991); Widder et al. (1983). - SYSTEMATIC & BIOLOGY - Billett (1991); Davis (1995); Miller & Pawson (1990); Wimpenny (1996); ITIS Database, Holothuroidea (Internet).