Key to members of the Order Aspidochirotida known from the South Atlantic Bight
1. Gonad in two tufts, one to each side of the dorsal mesentery. Tables and C-shaped ossicles present. (Family Stichopodidae) ......................................................................................................................... Isostichopus badionotus
- Gonad in one tuft, lying on the left side of the dorsal mesentery. Tables present, usually accompanied by buttons or plates or rods, no C-shaped ossicles. (Family Holothuriidae) ..................................................................................... 2
2. Calcified anal teeth present....................................................................................................... … Actinopyga agassizii
- Calcified anal teeth absent. ........................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Ossicles tables with disc reduced to a simple X-shape; no accompanying buttons, plates, or rods.............................. ..................................................................................................................... Holothuria (Semperothuria) surinamensis
- Ossicles tables with disc not reduced; buttons or plates also present .......................................................................... 4
4. Ossicles tables accompanied by buttons which are irregular, twisted, and knobbed, or regular and knobbed ....... ….5
- Ossicles tables accompanied by smooth buttons or smooth perforated plates ............................................................. 6
5. Ossicles buttons, irregular and twisted; huge tack-like tables in feet.................... Holothuria (Theelothuria) princeps
- Ossicles buttons regular, with numerous knobs. No huge tack-like tables............ Holothuria (Holothuria) dakarensis