Sulfur Sea Cucumber, Selenkothuria lubrica

Sulfur Sea Cucumber, Selenkothuria lubrica. Length: 15 cm (5.9 inches). Collected from a tidal pool in the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, November 2013. Identification courtesy of Dr. Francisco A. Solís-Marín, Mexico City.

The Sulphur Sea Cucumber, Holothuria (Selenkothuria) lubrica (Selenka, 1867) is a member of Holothuriidae Family of Sea Cucumbers, that is known in Mexico as pepino de mar de azufre. They may be black, brown, or gray in color, with some having an orange underside. They have sulphur colored tube feet on their ventral surface which gives rise to their common name. They have a round tubular body that is slightly larger at one end with a tapered head and fairly large oral tentacles. Their dorsal surface is covered with small conical papillae that have black tips. Sulphur Sea Cucumbers reach a maximum length of 16 cm (6.3 inches).

The Sulphur Sea Cucumber reside on mud, rocks and sand substrate and are found from the intertidal zone to depths up to 55 m (180 feet). They have a wide distribution ranging from the the Indo-pacific to the Eastern Pacific Ocean. In Mexican waters they are residents of the Pacific with the exception that they are absent from north of Punta Eugenia, Baja California Sur, along the central and northwest coasts of Baja. They are abundant throughout the Sea of Cortez.

From a conservation perspective the Sulfur Sea Cucumber is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are not deemed of value or utilized by humans at any significant level.

Synonyms include Holothuria kapiolaniae and Holothuria pseudo-lubric.