(Selenka, 1867)

H. (Cystipus) rigida is a white to grey species, often covered with sand, with a double row of dark spots along upper surface, and a lateral row of blunt papillae on each side. It is a stout, flattened and rigid species (size to 75 mm), with 20 tentacles (H. rigida photo). Spicules are low tables, fenestrated spheres and knobbed buttons (H. rigida spicules). It may be found on reef flats below rocks.

Remarks: A second species in this subgenus, H. (Cystipus) inhabilis recognised by a lack of fenestrated spheres, simpler tables and more irregular buttons has been reported from northern reefs.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Aspidochirotida
Family Holothuriidae
Genus Holothuria
Subgenus Cystipus
Species Holothuria rigida

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Not included in WoRMS database

Scientific synonyms and common names

Holothuria (Cystipus) rigida (Selenka, 1867)

Stichopus rigida Selenka, 1867
Holothuria rigida Semper, 1868
Cystipus pleuripus Haacke, 1880
Holothuria pleuripus Ludwig, 1883
Fossothuria rigida 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).

Clark, H.L. 1932. Echinoderma other than Asteroidea. Sci. rept. Great Barrier Reef Exped. 4:197-239.

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.

Haacke, W. 1880. Holothurien. In: Möbius: Beiträge zur Meeresfauna der Insel Mauritius un der Seychellen, pp. 46-48, Berlin.

Ludwig, H. 1883. Verzeichniss der Holothurien des Kieler Museums. Ber. Oberhess. Gesellsch. Nat.- u. Heilk. 22:155-176.

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.

Semper, C. 1868. Holothurien. In 'Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen. 2. Wissenschaftliche Resultate.' (Wiesbaden: Kreidel).

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