Drifting in the abyss: an in-situ observation of swimming in <i>Psychropotes</i> (Psychropotidae, Elasipodida, Holothuroidea).

ABSTRACT: Holothuroids are conspicuous members of megabenthic assemblages, particularly in the deep sea. Some are capable of swimming and while this behaviour was once considered uncommon, deep-sea exploration and technological advances have increased the number of such observations. Swimming or drifting is now regarded to be a potentially common adaptation to deep-sea life that enables long distance dispersal at a low energetic cost and perhaps the ability to track ephemeral food sources. Swimming is well documented for some species, as well as the specialised structures such as brims, swimming lobes, modified podia, and other adaptations like gelatinous consistency, ossicle reduction and flattened bodies. Some species of Psychropotes Théel, 1882 have a long 'tail' (sail-like unpaired dorsal

SUBMITTER: Bribiesca-Contreras G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12717142 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature