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Stichopus ocellatus Massin, Zulfigar, Hwai & Boss, 2002
| Family Name: | Stichopodidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Echinoderm) |
| Common Name: | Ocellated Sea Cucumber |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found on coral rubble and soft sediments of reef slopes and nearby sea bed in the Southern Islands. It feeds on sediment, deriving nutrition from the associated organic matter. |
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| Habitats | Marine |
| Distribution | South China Sea, southwest Sulawesi, Papua New Guinea in addition to Singapore. |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Continued land reclamation around the Souther Islands threatens to obliterate the remaining habitat of this rare species. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species is undoubtedly exploited by the sea cucumber trade in the West Pacific but, until recently at least, it was not recognised as a distinct species and has been grouped with other similar stichopodids. |
| Conservation Notes | Setting aside a Marine Protected Area in and around the Southern Islands would help to conserve this species. |
Status
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Vulnerable (VU) [2008] |
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Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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