Holothuria (Stauropora) pervicax Selenka, 1867

THANDAR, AHMED S., 2007, Additions to the aspidochirotid, molpadid and apodid holothuroids (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the east coast of southern Africa, with descriptions of new species, Zootaxa 1414 (1), pp. 1-62 : 31-33

Holothuria (Stauropora) pervicax Selenka, 1867

Figure 14

Holothuria pervicax Selenka, 1867: 327 , pl. 18, fig. 54.

Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) pervicax Cherbonnier, 1988: 107 (synonymy before 1988), fig. 43, A–K.

Holothuria (Stauropora) pervicax Samyn, 2003: 74 , fig. 30 A–D, fig. 54 E, pl. 3 F (synonymy and records after 1988).

Lectotype ZMH E2538 .

Lectotype locality Tahiti.

Previous southern African record Mozambique and southern KZN, South Africa.

Material examined

SAM-A27936 , off Beira, 20°25' S, 35°50' E, R.V. ‘ Algoa’, Mozambique SCAD Survey, St. C 00835-014- 032-2109, 18.vi. 1994, 60 m., 1 spec. ; SAM-A27937 , Isipingo Beach , KZN, rock pool, K.S. Ganga & G.C. Naidu , 14.iv.1979, 1 spec. , SAM-A27938 , 26.iv.1979, 1 spec. , SAM-A27939 , 22.viii.1979, 1 spec. , K.S. Ganga, 31.viii.1981, 1 spec., 27.iv.1982, 1 spec.

Description

Mozambique specimen (SAM-A27936): eviscerated, 100 x 33 mm. Colour, in alcohol, beige dorsally, greyish-white ventrally; podia purplish-brown, encircled by white rings. Collar distinct; no special anal papillae. Podia scattered, larger and more numerous ventrally, especially in ambulacra. Cuvierian tubules present.

Discs of body wall tables ( Figure 14A ) 20–38 µm (mean 25 µm), mostly reduced, margins uneven; spire height 9–33 µm (mean 14 µm). Buttons ( Figure 14B ) 15–26 µm (mean 21 µm), with 6–13 minute, often occluded holes, rarely without holes, then resembling rosette-shaped granules. Ventral podia with similar tables and buttons as well as plates ( Figure 14C, D ) (34–53 µm, mean 45 µm) and rods ( Figure 14E ) (61–119 µm, mean 103 µm), the former with paired series of about 10–45 holes; end-plates large (ca. 570 µm). Dorsal podia also with tables, buttons, rods ( Figure 14F ) (56–238 µm, mean 116 µm) and plates, the latter less well developed than those of ventral podia (23–60 µm, mean 35 µm), and with 5–14 complete holes; end-plates reduced (ca 115 µm). Tentacles with curved rods (47–347 µm, mean 184 µm) with spinulated ends and slightly spinose margins ( Figure 14G ).

KZN specimens (SAM-A27837-27839): typical but spicules larger than those of the Mozambique form: table disc diam. 24–68 µm, spire height 20–70 µm, dorsal buttons 15–42 µm, ventral buttons 37–90 µm.

Distribution Indo-West-Central Pacific Ocean, 0– 60 m.

Habitat Benthic, inshore.

Remarks

The single Mozambique specimen represents the deepest record of the species yet known as Rowe and Gates (1995) record the depth as 0– 20 m. There is no reason to doubt its identity as the body form, colouration and spicules are characteristic of the species. This species, previously classified in the subgenus Mertensiothuria by Rowe (1969) was transferred to the subgenus Stauropora , also by Rowe (in Rowe & Gates 1995).

Figures

FIGURE 14. Holothuria (Stauropora) pervicax Selenka, 1867. SAM–A27936. A. tables from dorso-lateral body wall; B. buttons from dorsal-lateral body wall; C. button-like plates from ventral podia; D. perforated plates from ventral podia; E. rods from ventral podia; F. rods from dorsal podia; G. rods from tentacles. G scale a; (A–C scale b; D–F scale c)