One of the syntypes of this species (USNM 18220) was collected from South of Rey Island (Centroid Latitude: 7.52500, Centroid Longitude: -79.23333), Perlas Archipelago, Panama, eastern Pacific, North Pacific Ocean, by the R. V. Albatross, from a depth of 838 m.
Ludwig, H. (1893). Vorlaufiger Bericht uber die erbeuteten Holothurien. Bull MCZ 24(4) 105-114.
Chun, C. (1900). Aus den Tiefen des Weltmeeres. Schilderungen von der deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition : 1-549.
LSID urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:148777Syntype: USNM 18220
Type locality: South of Rey Island (Centroid Latitude: 7.52500, Centroid Longitude: -79.23333, depth 838 m), Perlas Archipelago, Gulf of Panama, eastern Pacific, North Pacific Ocean.
This very unusual species is the only pelagic (full-time swimming) modern echinoderm known to date, and only member of its genus.
This species looks like a jellyfish and lives in a similar way, swimming thanks to its bell constituted of modified tentacles united by a veil, mouth facing upwards.
This sea cucumber is somewhat unusual in appearance in comparison with other sea cucumbers (and even within its family), as it looks more like a jellyfish with its large umbrella-like swimming structure, its small tapered body and its swimming position with the mouth on top. The mouth is surrounded by feeding tentacles like any sea cucumber, and the veil can be retracted like jellyfishes do. It reaches around 16cm in total diameter.
This species constitutes the only true pelagic holothurian (and even echinoderm) known to date.
