Ocnus lacteus


Ocnus lacteus is a species of sea cucumber in the family Cucumariidae.

Description

Ocnus lacteus is long. It crawls on rocks at shallow depths, using five rows of long tube feet. At the head are ten branching tentacles for catching food. It is white, with numerous spicules that each contain four holes.

Reproduction

Ocnus lacteus are gonochoric and each individual has only one gonad. Spawning and fertilization are external; some exhibit brooding. Embryos develop into planktotrophic larvae then into doliolaria which later metamorphose into juvenile sea cucumbers.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in western Ireland. It lives in northerly waters from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. It lives at depths up to, living on the seafloor and crawling over algae and seaweed.