Selenka, 1867

H. (Mertensiothuria) pervicax is a grey/brown sea cucumber, mottled above, with red-brown papillae ringed with white, and grey below with dark spots of tube feet. It is a hemicylindrical species, somewhat flattened below, with a medium-sized (to 300 mm), soft and pliable body, a smooth tegument, and thick, translucent cuvierian tubules (H. pervicax photo). Spicules are rather poorly formed, buttons often like small beaded rods. This species many be found on reefs below rocks on flats.

Remarks: The distinction between fuscocinerea and pervicax is not too clear; however the latter does have quite reduced spicules. Another holothurian with spicules very like those of pervicax is sometimes encountered and may be a colour morph. It is a rich red/brown above and white below.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Aspidochirotida
Family Holothuriidae
Genus Holothuria
Subgenus Mertensiothuria
Species Holothuria pervicax

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Not included in WoRMS database

Scientific synonyms and common names

Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) pervicax Selenka, 1867

Holothuria pervicax Selenka, 1867
Holothuria (Holothuria) pervicax Panning 1935
Holothuria curiosa var. pervicax Domantay, 1954
Mertensiothuria pervicax Deichmann, 1958

Cannon, L.R.G. and Silver, H. 1986. Sea Cucumbers of Northern Australia. Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Australia, 60 pp.

Clark, A.M. and Rowe, F.W.E. 1971. 'Monograph of shallow water Indo-west Pacific Echinoderms.' (London:British Museum).

Deichmann, E. 1958. The Holothurioidea collected by the Velero III and IV during the years 1932-1954. Part 2. Aspidochirota. Allan Hancock Pacif. Exped. 11:249-349.

Domantay, J.S. 1954. Some holothurians from Guam and vicinity. Nat. Appl. Sci. Bull.Univ. Philipp. 12:336-357.

Panning, A. 1929-1935. Die Gattung Holothuria. Mitt. zool. St. Inst. Hamb. (1929) 44:91-138; (1934) 45:65-84; (1935) 45:85-107.

Rowe F.W.E and Doty, J.E. 1977. The shallow water holothurians of Guam. Micronesica 13: 217-50.

Rowe, F.W.E. 1969. A review of the family Holothuriidae (Holothurioidea Aspidochirotida). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Zoology) 18: 119-70.

Selenka, E. 1867. Beiträge zur Anatomis un Systematik der Holothurien. Ztschr. fl. wissensch. Zool. 17:291-374.

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