Pseudoaslia tetracentriophora ( Heding, 1938 )

Thandar, Ahmed S., 2008, Additions to the holothuroid fauna of the southern African temperate faunistic provinces, with descriptions of new species, Zootaxa 1697 (1), pp. 1-57 : 22

Pseudoaslia tetracentriophora ( Heding, 1938)

Cucumaria tetracentriophora Heding, 1938: 613 , text figs 1-5.

Pseudoaslia tetracentriophora Thandar, 1991:126 (syn. & records), figs. 1c, 9, 14e.

Syntypes SAM.

Syntype locality South Africa and Bonza Bay , East London .

Material examined SAM-A23168, Torra Bay ( Namibia), 20 o 18' S, 13 o 15' E, Penrith, Coetzee & Kensley, 29.v.1969, 3 spec.

Description

Specimens pinkish-brown to dark brown in alcohol with olive-green blotches, size- range 42 x 20 mm to 46 x 22 mm. Tentacles of approximately equal size; podia arranged in 3-5 rows ventrally and 2-3 rows dorsally; numerous papillae-like projections (papulae) in dorsal interambulacra. Slender forked rods of body wall 53-98 µm, buttons 58-130 µm, usually with four holes, sometimes more or less.

Distribution Torra Bay, Namibia to Qolora, north-east of East London, ECP, shallow.

Remarks

Thandar (1991) described changes in deposits with age in this species and reported the absence of anal teeth. Natasen Moodley (2000), who initially examined the current material, also mentions the absence of anal teeth but in at least one of her specimens here re-examined, their presence is confirmed, supporting Heding’s (1938), Deichmann’s (1948) and Cherbonnier’s (1952) independent observations. Evidently then anal teeth may be present, absent, or inconspicuous in the species. The current material from Namibia considerably extends the species range north of False Bay.