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Gravel sea cucumber (Neopentadactyla mixta)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Neopentadactyla mixta is a cylindrical sea cucumber up to about 20 cm long and creamy yellow in colour. The body tapers towards either end and there are a bunch of profusely branching tentacles around the mouth. The tentacles are usually light grey but may be darker, appearing almost transparent when fully extended. The gravel sea cucumber lives within the substratum so the only parts visible are the tentacles, when extended.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

All up the west coast of Scotland to Orkney and Shetland. A few isolated records from the east coast. Also from SW England, SW and NW Wales. In Ireland, particularly Kilkieran Bay, round the north and north-east, also the SE and SW corners.

Global distribution

South, west and north coasts of the British Isles, the Faeroe Islands, the west coast of Norway (Molde) and the Atlantic coasts of France.

Habitat

The gravel sea cucumber lives within coarse, typically mobile shell sand, gravel or maerl where water flow is quite strong.

Depth range

15-70

Identifying features

  • Found in coarse gravel or maerl with only the buccal tentacles showing above the surface.
  • There are 20 tentacles, 10 large, 5 intermediate and 5 small.
  • The tentacles are thicker at the base than the tip and branch in a highly arborescent fashion.
  • There are numerous calcareous deposits in the skin.

Additional information

Various descriptions of the tentacles have been made regarding the layout and size of the rings. One of the most recent states that there are twenty in total arranged pentaradially around the mouth. There are ten large outer tentacles arranged as five pairs, then within these, five single intermediate tentacles and then the inside ring is of five small tentacles. Tube feet are usually confined to the radii and may be crowded in the middle of the body.

Listed by

- none -

Further information sources

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Biology review

Taxonomy

PhylumEchinodermata
ClassHolothuroidea
OrderDendrochirotida
FamilyPhyllophoridae
GenusNeopentadactyla
Authority(Östergren, 1898) Deichmann, 1944
Recent SynonymsPseudocucumis mixta (Östergren, 1898) Deichmann, 1944

Biology

Typical abundanceHigh density
Male size rangeUp to 25cm
Male size at maturity
Female size rangeMedium-large(21-50cm)
Female size at maturity
Growth formCylindrical
Growth rateNo information found
Body flexibility
MobilityBurrower
Characteristic feeding methodPassive suspension feeder
Diet/food sourceOmnivore
Typically feeds onSeston
SociabilitySolitary
Environmental positionInfaunal
DependencyNo text entered.
SupportsHost

Melanella alba.

Is the species harmful?Data deficient

Biology information

  • In suitable habitat, densities have been recorded as high as 400 per square metre. In 1973, the population in Kilkieran Bay appeared to be increasing.
  • Most sea cucumbers are gonochoristic although some species are hermaphrodite.
  • The values for length apply to body length excluding the tentacular crown. When extended, the tentacular crown can be up to a quarter of the body length and have a spread of 140 square cm. The gravel sea cucumber is an infaunal burrower and is only visible when the tentacles are projected above the surface. The body is generally held in a u-shape within the sediment with the tentacles held in the water column and the terminal anus just at the surface.
  • Food particles are trapped using special adhesive areas at the tips of the tentacles. To ingest food, a tentacle is inserted into the mouth, the buccal membrane constricts and the tentacle withdrawn, scraping off any adherent food particles.
  • Melanella alba, a eulimid gastropod is a temporary ectoparasite on Neopentadactyla mixta, piercing the skin and feeding on the internal organs.

Habitat preferences

Physiographic preferencesOpen coast, Strait / sound, Sea loch / Sea lough, Ria / Voe
Biological zone preferencesLower infralittoral, Upper circalittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesGravel / shingle, Maerl
Tidal strength preferencesModerately Strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Weak < 1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.)
Wave exposure preferencesExposed, Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Very sheltered
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu)
Depth range15-70
Other preferencesNo text entered
Migration PatternDiel, Seasonal (feeding)

Habitat Information

Although not necessarily representative of all populations, Neopentadactyla mixta exhibits regular daily and seasonal movements within the substratum. In the Kilkieran Bay population, individuals withdraw further into the sediment between 1 or 4 hours after sunrise and remain in the substratum for 1 or 2 hours, re-emerging over a period of up to four hours. In September/October the entire population withdraws into the substratum and re-emerges in March/April. They remain buried in aerobic conditions at depths of up to 60 cm with tentacles retracted and not feeding. Considerable loss of condition occurs during this time. Direct absorption of dissolved organic matter may be important for nutrition. This state of torpor is not complete, respiration and activity is greatly reduced but some movement within the substratum still occurs. Depth of burial is maintained despite surface changes in gravel with water movement.

Life history

Adult characteristics

Reproductive typeNo information
Reproductive frequency No information
Fecundity (number of eggs)No information
Generation timeInsufficient information
Age at maturityNo information found.
SeasonInsufficient information
Life spanInsufficient information

Larval characteristics

Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development No information
Duration of larval stageNo information
Larval dispersal potential No information
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

No information has been found in relation to longevity or reproduction. Breeding is presumed to occur between April and September when the population is at the substratum surface. Most holothurians are gonochoristic and are broadcast spawners (although some species brood their larvae). The larvae of some species show planktotrophy, others lecithotrophy, some direct development, others indirect.

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Substratum loss
 High No information High Low
Neopentadactyla mixta lives within gravel or maerl substrata. Loss of this substrata would result in the loss of the population.
Smothering
 Low No information Moderate Moderate
Although not a fast mover, Neopentadactyla mixta is a quite large active burrower. Smothering by five cm of sediment should not cause too many problems and the sea cucumber will probably be able to burrow back up to the surface. Individuals of this species spend much of the winter buried up to 60 cm deep in aerobic sediment. During this winter period, a torpid stage is entered with respiration and activity greatly reduced. Given sufficient aeration, this species can tolerate long periods without feeding. This may indicate that even if the surface cannot be regained immediately then the species could tolerate a period of smothering. There will be an energetic cost and feeding will be curtailed. Smothering for a month will be less problematic if it occurs during the period when the sea cucumbers are buried within the substratum.
Increase in suspended sediment
 High No information High Low
A slight increase in siltation may benefit this species through greater availability of food particles. Larger increases in siltation will cause feeding to stop, the tentacles to be retracted and withdrawal into the substratum. Although the species can tolerate long periods (up to 8 months) without feeding within the substratum, considerable loss of condition occurs during this time. Prevention of feeding for a whole year through increased siltation will probably cause death.
Decrease in suspended sediment
 No information
Desiccation
 High No information High Low
The species only occurs subtidally (below 15 m). The tube feet and tentacles provide surfaces through which water could easily be lost. Exposure to desiccating influences for an hour will probably cause death.
Increase in emergence regime
 High No information High Low
The species only occurs subtidally (below 15 m) and is not subject to emergence. Emergence for an hour will probably cause death.
Decrease in emergence regime
 No information
Increase in water flow rate
 High No information High Moderate
The gravel sea cucumber is a passive suspension feeder and requires a reasonable flow of water to provide sufficient food particles. The tentacular crown is held up in the water column in order to feed. Strong water flow causes the tentacles to be displaced and bent. This can only be tolerated up to a point and beyond that sea cucumber retracts its tentacles and withdraws into substratum. This would prevent feeding. Although the species can tolerate long periods (up to 8 months) without feeding within the substratum, considerable loss of condition occurs during this time. Prevention of feeding for a whole year will probably cause death.
Decrease in water flow rate
 No information
Increase in temperature
 Intermediate No information High Low
The British Isles falls in the middle of the geographic range of this species. Small chronic changes in temperature will probably have little effect. Short acute changes in temperature may cause death. Temperature changes will have less effect when the population is buried within the substratum and respiration and metabolism are greatly reduced.
Decrease in temperature
 No information
Increase in turbidity
 Tolerant No information Not sensitive Low
The species has no requirement for photosynthesis and probably only has very limited facility for visual perception. Changes in turbidity will probably have no effect.
Decrease in turbidity
 No information
Increase in wave exposure
 High No information High Moderate
The gravel sea cucumber is a passive suspension feeder and requires a reasonable water movement to provide sufficient food particles. The tentacular crown is held up in the water column in order to feed. Strong wave action causes the tentacles to be displaced and bent. This can only be tolerated up to a point and beyond that sea cucumber retracts its tentacles and withdraws into substratum. This would prevent feeding. Although the species can tolerate long periods (up to 8 months) without feeding within the substratum, considerable loss of condition occurs during this time. Prevention of feeding for a whole year will probably cause death. One large storm on the west coast of Ireland was noted to cause Neopentadactyla mixta to withdraw into the sediment and remain there for ten days (Smith and Keegan, 1984).
Decrease in wave exposure
 No information
Noise
 Low No information Moderate Moderate
Slight vibrations within the immediate substratum will provoke total withdrawal. This will prevent feeding. If the vibration is continuous, habituation may occur. If the noise occurs during the period of torpor then the species will be tolerant.
Visual presence
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive High
The species probably only has very limited facility for visual perception.
Abrasion & physical disturbance
 Intermediate No information High Low
The gravel sea cucumber is highly flexible and has a tough skin but the tentacles are more likely to be damaged by abrasion. Neopentadactyla mixta lives infaunally and hence may avoid physical disturbance caused by a passing dredge, particularly when deeply buried in a state of torpor. Echinoderms are well known for their regenerative abilities. However, no information regarding recruitment or recovery was found.
Displacement
 Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
The species is an active burrower within the substratum. Displacement will probably have little effect and individuals would be able to re-burrow.

Chemical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Heavy metal contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Hydrocarbon contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Radionuclide contamination
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Changes in nutrient levels
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Increase in salinity
 High No information High Moderate
Hypo and hypersaline water causes tentacle retraction (Smith, 1983). Neopentadactyla mixta lives in fully saline conditions. Reductions in salinity would cause the sea cucumber to stop feeding. A short term reduction in salinity will probably not be serious, particularly if it occurs during a period of torpor within the substratum. Long term reductions in salinity are more problematic Although the species can tolerate long periods (up to 8 months) without feeding within the substratum, considerable loss of condition occurs during this time. Prevention of feeding for a whole year will probably cause death.
Decrease in salinity
 No information
Changes in oxygenation
 Low No information Moderate Moderate
The species can survive with very low oxygen consumption when buried in the substratum during periods of torpor

Biological pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Introduction of non-native species
 No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information
Extraction of this species
 Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Low
It is highly unlikely that this species would be extracted for any reason.
Extraction of other species
 Intermediate No information High Moderate
Neopentadactyla mixta frequently lives in maerl beds. The algal nodules form a ideal, coarse, mobile substratum that the sea cucumber can burrow through. Maerl beds are exploited commercially. The effects of maerl removal may be less when the sea cucumber is in a state of torpor buried deep within the substratum.

Additional information

Importance review

Policy/legislation

- no data -

Status

Non-native

Importance information

In suitable coarse, mobile gravel substrata the gravel sea cucumber can reach such high densities that it virtually excludes all other macrofauna. It is possible that Neopentadactyla mixta provides the only food source for the temporarily ectoparasitic gastropod Melanella alba.

Bibliography

  1. Hansen, B. & McKenzie, J.D., 1991. A taxonomic review of northern Atlantic species Thyonidiinae and Semperiellinae (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 103, 101-127.

  2. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  3. Keegan, B.F., 1974. The macro fauna of maerl substrates on the west coast of Ireland. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, XV, 513-530.

  4. Konnecker, G. & Keegan, B.F., 1973. In situ behavioural studies on echinoderm aggregations. Helgolander Wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen, 24, 157-162.

  5. Mortensen, T.H., 1927. Handbook of the echinoderms of the British Isles. London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press.

  6. Smith T.B. & Keegan, B.F., 1985. Seasonal torpor in Neopentadactyla mixta (Ostergren) (Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida). In Echinodermata. Proceedings of the Fifth International Echinoderm Conference. Galway, 24-29 September 1984. (B.F. Keegan & B.D.S O'Connor, pp. 459-464. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema.

  7. Smith, T.B., 1983. Tentacular ultrastructure and feeding behaviour of Neopentadactyla mixta (Holothuroidea: Dendrochirota). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 63, 301-311.

  8. Smith, T.B., 1984. Ultrastructure and function of the proboscis in Melanella alba (Gastropoda: Eulimidae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 64, 503-512.

Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2018. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  3. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  4. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2023. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2023-06-07

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Jackson, A. 2008. Neopentadactyla mixta Gravel sea cucumber. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 07-06-2023]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1317

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Last Updated: 17/04/2008