Paelopatides Sea Cucumber

Paelopatides Sea Cucumber (Paelopatides confundens)

Specimen from Axial Base. Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF; V14

This species was observed at the base of Axial. Its purple hue gave VISIONS scientists the idea to nickname it a Sea Eggplant, since it inhabits the same area as other sea cucumbers.

References:
http://www.mbari.org/benthic/holothurians.html