•+Australostichopus+mollis

** Scientific Classification ** Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Holothuroidea Order: Aspidochirotida Family: Holothuriidae Genus: //Australostichopus// Species: A. m//ollis//

** Physical Description ** -Adult size ranges from 13 to 25 cm -Soft in texture, and light mottled brown to black in color -A tube foot is present on its underside, or throughout the entirl body -Tentacles surround the slit-like mouth

** Distribution/Habitat ** -Found from Cook Strait to Stewart Islands ( New Zealand) -From New South Wales to South Western Australia (Australia) -Inhabit the low-tide level on sand, and in mud of protected areas -May live on the shallow waters of the coast, and up to 200 m of depth in ocean water

** Feeding ** -Mainly capture organic matter from the substrata (area beneath the surface of the ground)

** Life Cycle ** -Reproduce through sexual reproduction, however some hermaphrodites have been observed. Population to sex ratio is 1:1 -Reproductive season occurs from October to February. Periodic release of eggs may occur by following the lunar cycle -Offspring inhabit the subtidal zone after birth (5-8 m in depth). Here, they can obtain nourishment and protection from predators. -Has the ability to regenerate its internal organs through auto-evisceration, which is brought about by environmental stimuli. First there is a violent removal of organs from the body, followed by regeneration, which is relatively slow in this species. media type="youtube" key="aCxKFc3XtJs" height="390" width="480" align="center"

** Ecological Role ** -Has encouraged interest for its potential in fishery (an area in which fish are reared for commercial purposes) in the Southern Hemisphere -Has the ability to reduce waste produced by aquaculture (rearing of aquatic animals for food) -Because so little information is known about its biology, it is difficult to form a stable fishery industry

**Sources** [|﻿http://www.scribd.com/doc/14747628/HABITAT-PREFERENCES-OF-THE-HOLOTHUROIDEAN-AUSTRALOSTICHOPUS-STICHOPUS-MOLLIS] [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australostichopus_mollis] [|http://www.eol.org/pages/3067724?text_id=8062024] [|http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/res/pk/f018916t.jpg] [|http://www.seafriends.org.nz/decay/f017315t.jpg] [|http://www.youtube.com/v/aCxKFc3XtJs]