Plesiocolochirus ignavus ( Ludwig, 1875 )

O’Loughlin, P Mark & Vandenspiegel, Didier, 2012, Sea cucumbers collected by the Kermadec Biodiscovery Expedition 2011 (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Apodida and Dendrochirotida), Zootaxa 3515, pp. 60-66 : 63

Plesiocolochirus ignavus ( Ludwig, 1875)

Figure 3 .

Material examined. Kermadec Islands, Meyer Island, rock wall scrapings, 6–15 m, collected S. Keable and A. Reid, 19 May 2011, fixed 10% formalin, preserved 70% ethanol, AIM MA 30358 (1); AM J24974 (2).

Remarks. As recorded by Rowe and Gates (1995), Plesiocolochirus ignavus ( Ludwig, 1875) is found across southern Australia, and in our experience is one of the most abundant holothuroids. O’Loughlin & Alcock (2000) reported its occurrence in New Zealand in Hauraki Gulf (20 m) on the NE of the North Island, and in Dusky Sound (11–18 m). The Kermadec specimens are not the tropical species Plesiocolochirus australis ( Ludwig, 1875) of northern Australia. Its occurrence on the Kermadec Islands is an extension of its distribution.

Figures

FIGURE 3. SEM images of ossicles from body wall of Plesiocolochirus ignavus (Ludwig, 1875) (AIM MA 30358). Top, multi-layered ossicles; middle left and centre, knobbed buttons; middle right, part of tube foot support rod; bottom, bridged (middle) and partly bridged spinous cups.