Clark, 1921

H. (Microthele) axiologa is a yellow sea cucumber with brown flecking and dark transverse wrinkles above; it is white below. It is a large (the specimen collected by Clark was 600 mm long and 100 mm wide) and stout species, distinctly flattened below. The body is thick and firm, the tegument soft (slimy) (H. axiologa photo). Spicules are stout, square tables, and fenestrated ellipsoid buttons (H. axiologa spicules). It is found on reefs, and exposed on deeper fine sediments.

Remarks: This species is easily confused with Thelenota anax and Holothuria scabra until spicules are checked.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Aspidochirotida
Family Holothuriidae
Genus Holothuria
Subgenus Microthele
Species Holothuria axiologa

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Not included in WoRMS database

Scientific synonyms and common names

Holothuria (Microthele) axiologa Clark, 1921

Holothuria axiologa Clark, 1921

Cannon, L.R.G. and Silver, H. 1986. Sea Cucumbers of Northern Australia. Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Australia, 60 pp.

Clark, A.M. and Rowe, F.W.E. 1971. 'Monograph of shallow water Indo-west Pacific Echinoderms.' (London:British Museum).

Clark, H.L. 1921. The Echinoderm Fauna of Torres Strait: its composition and its origin. Papers from the Department of Marine Biology of the Carnegie Institution of Washington 10: 1-223.

Rowe F.W.E and Doty, J.E. 1977. The shallow water holothurians of Guam. Micronesica 13: 217-50.

Rowe, F.W.E. 1969. A review of the family Holothuriidae (Holothurioidea Aspidochirotida). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Zoology) 18: 119-70.

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