Kingdom Animalia Family Cucumariidae Genus Ocnus Order Dendrochirotida | Class Holothuroidea Phylum Echinodermata Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Ocnus, Dendrochirotida, Pawsonia saxicola, Holothuria forskali, Holothuria (Platyperona) sanctori | ||
Ocnus planci is a species of sea cucumber in the family Cucumariidae.
Contents
Ocnus planci avi
Description
Oncus planci is a cylindrically-shaped sea cucumber grow up to 150 mm in length, and 35 mm in thickness they have a brownish coloration. They have ten tentacles and retractile tube like feet arranged in five double rows. They have thick smooth leathery skin.
Neotany
Oncus planci are known to show neotany. The neotenous form have a single row of tube feet and are less than an inch long. They were first mistaken for separate species and was given the biological name Ocnus brunneus.
Reproduction
Adult reproduce sexually by spawning in spring and the neotenous form reproduce asexually by transverse binary fission.
Distribution
They are found in European waters and west Africa. The neotenous form being distributed in the north.
Habitat
They are epifaunal species on invertebrates and rocks and are found from depths of 15–175 m.
Diet
They are suspension feeders. The eight large and two small feeding tentacles are branched, leaf-like, and lighter in colour than the body.