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{{cite web|url=http://seaslugsofhawaii.com/general/look-alikes-sea-cucumbers.html|title=Sea Cucumbers|publisher=Sea Slugs of Hawaii
}}</ref> the '''Pacific white-spotted sea cucumber''' or '''Hawaiian sea cucumber''',<ref name="cucumber">
{{cite web|url=https://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/whitespotted-sea-cucumber/3207|title=White-spotted Sea Cucumber (Actinopyga varians)|publisher=Whats That Fish!}}</ref> is a [[species]] of [[sea cucumber]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Holothuriidae]]. It is found in the Pacific Ocean near [[Hawaii|Hawai'i]] and also in the [[Indo-Pacific Ocean]].
== Distribution and Habitathabitat ==
''Actinopyga varians'' is found in tropical waters, commonly seen in the Western Pacific and the Indo-Pacific. It has been seen in Hawai’iHawaii, [[Fiji]], the [[French Polynesia]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actinopyga varians |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/19708732/19746930 |access-date=2022-04-25|website=IUCN Red List}}</ref> and other islands in [[Micronesia]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Kerr |first=Alexander M. |date=February 2014 |title=Survey of the Shallow-water Echinoderms of Nauru, Micronesia |url=https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/ml/technical_reports/158Kerr_2014_UOGMLTechReport158.pdf |journal=University of Guam Marine Laboratory Technical Report |volume=158 |page=6}}</ref> It tends to live in depths of about 0-250–25 m on living [[Coral|coralscoral]]s and surrounding rubble areas of [[Reef|reefsreef]]s<ref name="cucumber" /> on the crest of the ocean floor.<ref name=":0" />
== Description ==
The size of this species ranges from 15 cm to 20 cm (6 to 8 in.).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Whitespotted Sea Cucumber - Actinopyga varians - Sea Cucumbers - Speckled Sea Cucumber, Surf Redfish - Hawaii Reefs |url=https://reefguide.org/hawaii/whitespottedseacucumber.html |access-date=2022-04-25|website=reefguide.org}}</ref>. The bivium is hard,<ref>{{Cite web |title=White-spotted Sea Cucumber, Actinopyga varians |url=https://keokistender.com/marine/echinoderms/cucumbers/actinopyga-varians.htm |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=keokistender.com}}</ref> is dark red or brown with distinct white spots, and can be wrinkled.<ref name=":1" /> Although the bivium is hard, all holothuroids have a reduced skeleton of isolated osscilesossicles in the body wall.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kerr |first1=Alexander M. |last2=Janies |first2=Daniel A. |last3=Clouse |first3=Ronald M. |last4=Samyn |first4=Yves |last5=Kuszak |first5=Jeni |last6=Kim |first6=Junhyong |date=2005-02-01 |title=Molecular Phylogeny of Coral-Reef Sea Cucumbers (Holothuriidae: Aspidochirotida) Based on 16S Mitochondrial Ribosomal DNA Sequence |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-004-0019-y |journal=Marine Biotechnology |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=53–60 |doi=10.1007/s10126-004-0019-y |pmid=15997365 |bibcode=2005MarBt...7...53K |s2cid=976615 |issn=1436-2236}}</ref> A distinct characteristic of the ''Actinopyga'' genus are the teeth surrounding the anus. However, this trait is not exclusive to the ''Actinopyga'' genus, and some other ''[[Holothuria]]'' can have similar characteristics.'' ''The Holothuriidae family, which the ''Actinopyga varians'' is a part of, is are known to have thick fleshy bodies and rows of tube feet. Papillae, which are blunt projections, cover the body. Their [[Sponge spicule|spicules]] are shaped like tubes and although most species in the Holothuriidae family are able to eject [[cuvierian tubules]] in self-defense, the genera ''Actinopyga'' is unable to do so. One of the main distinguishing feature of the order Holothuriida'','' of which the family Holothuriidae is a part of, is the leaf-like tentacles that surround the mouth, which aids in feeding.
== Diet ==
''Actinopyga varians'' are [[Detritivore|detritivoresdetritivore]]s and trap particles and plankton on their tentacles. The papillae of the tentacles hold cells that secrete the mucus, which the particles and plankton are stuck on to. They are highly selective deposit feeders and generally consume highly organic material. The tentacles surround the mouth, which from the mouth goes to the esophagus, then the foregut to the intestine. This is where digestion occurs.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mulcrone |first=Renee Sherman |title=Holothuroidea |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Holothuroidea/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Animal Diversity Web |language=en}}</ref>
== Reproduction ==
Although not much is known about the reproductive habits of ''Actinopyga varians,'' members of the class Holothuroidea are gonochoric and have only one [[gonad]]. Spawning and fertilization are external;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actinopyga varians, Holothuroids |url=https://www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Actinopyga-varians.html |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.sealifebase.ca}}</ref> furthermore, species in the same genus, such as the ''[[Actinopyga mauritiana]],'' have shown that although there are many physical, chemical and biological cues that have been used to successfully stimulate spawning, thermal stimulation is the most successful method of repoductionreproduction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Battaglene |first1=Stephen C |last2=Seymour |first2=J. Evizel |last3=Ramofafia |first3=Christian |last4=Lane |first4=Idris |date=2002-04-30 |title=Spawning induction of three tropical sea cucumbers, Holothuria scabra, H. fuscogilva and Actinopyga mauritiana |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044848601007256 |journal=Aquaculture |language=en |volume=207 |issue=1 |pages=29–47 |doi=10.1016/S0044-8486(01)00725-6 |bibcode=2002Aquac.207...29B |issn=0044-8486}}</ref>
== Development ==
[[Echinoderm]]s are [[Deuterostome|deuterostomesdeuterostome]]s. The larvae begin with a bilateral symmetrical embryo, and pass through several stages before reaching adulthood. The larvae have a three-part paired [[coelom]] that eventually develop into different parts. The first stage of the larve is auricularia, which starts after three days.<ref name=":2" /> This first stage has a ciliated locomotor band which leads into the next stage where the ciliated band breaks up into "girdles" in a stage called [[doliolaria]].
Eventually, after the larval metamorphosis, the sea cucumber settles down and becomes a fully grown species.
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[[Category:Holothuriidae]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:AnimalsEchinoderms described in 1867]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Emil Selenka]]
{{Holothuroidea-stub}}
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