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Synapta maculata
Sea cucumbers are Echinoderms [class Holothuroidea]. They are generally scavengers. A pharynx lies behind the mouth and is surrounded by a ring of ten calcareous plates. In most sea cucumbers, this is the only substantial part of the skeleton, and it forms the point of attachment for muscles that can retract the tentacles into the body for safety as for the main muscles of the body wall.
Sandy area on a patchy reef
When the mouth parts are extruded it is easy to see the radial symmetry that they share with other members of the Phylum Echinodermata.
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