Leptosynapta bergensis (Östergren, 1905)

Leptosynapta bergensis

Description: A worm-like holothurian with twelve pinnate tentacles and no tube-feet. Each tentacle has 8-11 pairs of digits, increasing in length towards the end of the tentacle. Colour is pink with a transparent skin and obvious longitudinal muscle-bands. spicules are anchors associated with pear-shaped anchor-plates. Typically 10-30cm in length.

Habitat: Burrows in muddy sand in the sublittoral.

Distribution: Found on all coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: All British synaptids are superficially similar and their tentacles and spicules must be examined with a microscope or hand-lens to distinguish the species.

Key Identification Features:

• Worm-like burrowing holothurian with no tube-feet.
• 12 pinnate tentacles with 8-11 pairs of digits.
• Shape of spicules.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database