Opheodesoma glabra

(Semper, 1868)

O. glabra is a deep brown or grey sea cucumber, sometimes flecked with white spots [see Semper (1868) pl. II (colour)]. It is a large species (said to reach 900 mm by Clark, 1946) with 15 tentacles. Its spicules are anchors have knobs on the vertex; anchor plates have a sharp posterior constriction (O. glabra spicules[/l]). It is found on [l][m]Glossary[/m][r]Reef[/r]reefs or coastal areas, on seagrass or mud flats.

Remarks: There are records also of australiensis and ramispicula : but there is doubt as to the distinction between the species of Opheodesoma, though glabra is recorded with smaller (<275,um), narrower (half of length) anchors than grisea.

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