Leptosynapta inhaerens

Researched By	Dr Paul Somerfield & Prof. Richard Warwick	Data Supplied By	PML
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Leptosynapta inhaerens	Common name	A sea cucmber
MCS Code	ZB296	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Echinodermata	Subphylum	Echinozoa
Superclass		Class	Holothurioidea
Subclass		Order	Apodida
Suborder		Family	Synaptidae
Genus	Leptosynapta	Species	inhaerens
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Cylindrical	Feeding method	Detritivore
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position
Typical food types	Detritus	Habit	Tubiculous
Bioturbator		Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height	1 cm	Growth Rate	Not researched
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Eltringham, 1971, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on many British and Irish coasts although more common off the west coasts of the British Isles and north-east Scotland.
Global distribution	Found in north-west Europe from northern Norway to Brittany.
Biogeographic range	Temperate.	Depth range	Lower shore to 50 m.
Migratory	Insufficient information
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Mud, Muddy sand, Muddy gravel	Physiographic preferences
Biological zone		Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	I
Distribution References	Foster-Smith, 2000, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Picton, 1993
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type		Developmental mechanism	Viviparous (No Care), Direct Development, Brooding
Reproductive Season	August to September	Reproductive Location	As adult
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	Insufficient information	Age at reproductive maturity	Insufficient information
Generation time	Not researched	Fecundity	Insufficient information
Egg/propagule size	200 µm	Fertilization type	Internal
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Not researched Larval settlement period Not relevant Duration of larval stage Not relevant
Additional Information	It is hermaphroditic although the exact type of hermaphroditism has not been recorded.
Reproduction References	Thorson, 1946, Fish & Fish, 1996