Histologic Examination of a Sea Pig (Scotoplanes sp.) Using Bright Field Light Microscopy

Sea pigs (Scotoplanes spp.) are deep-sea dwelling sea cucumbers of the phylum Echinodermata, class Holothuroidea, and order Elasipodida. Few reports available on microscopic anatomy these animals. This study describes histologic findings two, wild, male female Scotoplanes sp. collected from Monterey Bay, California. Microscopic were similar to other holothuroids, with a few notable exceptions. bilaterally symmetrical six pairs greatly enlarged tube feet arising lateral body wall oriented ventrally for walking. Neither rete mirabile nor respiratory tree was identified, large may function in respiration. Dorsal papillae protrude bivium histologically large, muscular water vascular canal center. There 10 buccal tentacles, epidermis which highly folded. Only single gonad present each animal; both had evidence active gametogenesis. In male, presumed protozoal cyst identified aboral intestinal mucosa, previous coccidians. work provides control histology future investigations related animals using bright field microscopy.