| Synaptidae | |
|---|---|
| Synaptula lamberti on a sponge | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Holothuroideaia |
| Subclass: | Apodacea |
| Order: | Apodida |
| Family: | Synaptidae Burmeister, 1837 [1] |
Synaptidae is a family of sea cucumber that have no tube feet, tentacle ampullae, retractor muscles, respiratory trees, or cuvierian organs. They also lack radial canals of the water-vascular system, with only the circumoral ring present.[2]
Synaptids are elongated and vermose and vary from small to quite large. Synapta maculata grows to two metres in length. They are quite active, moving by means of waves of peristaltic contractions. Their tegument is somewhat sticky because of the anchor-like spicules that project through the skin.[3]