Kareniella gracilis Heding, 1940

(Fig. 18 A – C)

Kareniella gracilis Heding, 1940: 349, textfig. 14; Cherbonnier & Féral, 1981: 381, fig.15 A – J. Bathyplotes punctatus (Sluiter, 1901): Rowe, 1989: 282.

Material examined. Non-type material: IE-2007-803 (1 specimen, collected between Nosy Bé and Band du Leven)

Remarks. Heding (1940) erected Kareniella for synallactids that are distinctly flattened, have four-pillared tables and have non-retractile tube feet in the median ventral radial area (fig. 14A – C). Rowe (1989: 282) considered K. gracilis to be the junior synonym of Bathyherpystikes punctatus Sluiter, 1901 . We do not agree with this decision as the presence of well-developed medio-ventral tube feet clearly makes K. gracilis a distinctive species to be classified in its own genus. Such was also the conclusion of Cherbonnier & Féral (1981) who had examined some of the type material of K. gracilis .

We however do agree with Rowe (1989) in classifying Bathyherpystikes punctatus in the genus Bathyplotes .

The present record is the first for the Indian Ocean.