Enypniastes eximia, Timun Laut Perenang dari Laut Dalam

Sea cucumbers have been known as a part of important components of the deep-sea fauna. They are useful as recyclers and sediment processors on the soft bottom habitat. The ability of some sea cucumber species to leave the seabed and swim upwards into the water column has been documented. Those species that are capable to do active swimming movements are an element of megafauna dominating some zones in the deep-sea. One of the active swimming sea cucumber species is Enypniastes eximia, order Elasipodida. Enypniastes eximia has atractive external features that appear to be a morphologycal adaptation to swim. It has interesting body color, transparent body wall and also has beautiful swimming movement. This paper discusses about the general remarks of E. eximia, including its classification and morphology, feeding and swimming behaviour and also its distribution. Oseana, Vol. XXXVI, No. 4. Hal. 45-53 ISSN 0216-1877