The giant California sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) is a sea cucumber that can be found from the Gulf of Alaska to Southern California. It is found from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 250 m. They are most abundant in areas with moderate current with cobbles, boulders or bedrock.

Physical description

The giant California sea cucumber can grow to a length of 50 cm and a width of 5 cm. It has a soft, cylindrical body, with red-brown to yellowish leathery skin. It has an endoskeleton just below the skin. The mouth and anus are on opposite ends of the body. The mouth is surrounded by twenty retractable tentacles that are used to bring food in. Five rows of tube feet extend from the mouth to the anus. Mobility is limited, though individuals can move up to 4 m per day while feeding. They use their tube feet located on the underside of their body.

Feeding habits

Parastichopus californicus at ebb/low tide, Saratoga Passage

The giant California sea cucumber is a scavenger that feeds on plankton and other organic matter. They feed by sifting through sediments with their tentacles, or by positioning themselves in a current where they can use their tentacles to catch food flowing by.

Behavior and reproduction

P. californianus is a solitary nocturnal animal. It has the ability to regenerate all parts of its body. When threatened, it can expel all its stomach contents through its anus until its next feed. It can also expel sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators. It undertakes seasonal migrations to different depths.

These sea cucumbers have separate sexes, and eggs are fertilized externally. Spawning usually takes place in August, and each female can produce thousands of eggs. After fertilization, a larva is formed which metamorphoses into a sea cucumber after a few weeks.

References

• Benton, William, et al. Britannica Macropaedia. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc, 1976.
• Stichpus californicus. NWMarineLife.com, Olympia, Washington. [1]

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