The Holothuroidea, or sea cucumbers, are an abundant and diverse group of worm-like and usually soft-bodied echinoderms. They are found in nearly every marine environment, but are most diverse on tropical shallow-water coral reefs.
Sea cucumbers (holothurians), or sea slugs, are usually marketed under the name of trepang or bêche-de-mer. Rich in protein, they are eaten in China, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Italy.
