Ekkentropelma groovia Thandar, 2006

Thandar, Ahmed S., 2018, On some miscellaneous sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the collections of the South African Museum with three new species, Zootaxa 4532 (1), pp. 57-85 : 77-78

Ekkentropelma groovia Thandar, 2006

( Figure 15 )

Ekkentropelma groovia Thandar, 2006: 41 –44, fig. 14. Diagnosis (see Thandar 2006).

Material examined. SAMC-A 090926 , SM 162, off East London , 32°55’ S, 28°31’ E, heavy dredge, 630 m, 25.V.1978, 1 spec .

Description. Specimen minute ( Figure 15A, B ), cylindrical, narrow anteriorly, truncate posteriorly, slightly swollen just behind the middle. Colour yellowish-white. Length about 5.5 mm, anterior end about 1 mm in diameter, mid-body about 2 mm. Tentacles withdrawn, with some evidence of valves surrounding mouth. Ventral groove ( Figure 15B ) evident, starting on right side of animal and proceeding to left side, to terminate about 2 mm before anus. Tube feet few, better developed ventrally than dorsally, ventral tube feet about five on each side of groove and few within groove; antero- and postero-ventral tube feet reduced. Dorsal tube feet evident but more reduced than ventral. Anus slit-like; anal teeth not evident. Body enclosed by large, imbricating, multilocular plates/scales dorsally ( Figure 15C ), much smaller ventrally ( Figure 15E ). Tube feet ossicles as small perforated rods ( Figure 15D & F ). Tentacle ossicles as plates and rods ( Figure 15G ).

Distribution. Off Port St. Johns and East London, 630–775 m

Remarks. This species was described and remarked upon by Thandar (2006) and requires no further comments.

Figures

FIGURE 15. Ekkentropelma groovia Thandar, 2006. SAMC-A090926. A. Specimen dorsal surface; B. Specimen ventral surface; C. Plates from dorsal surface; D. Rods from dorsal podia; E. Plates from ventral surface; F. Rods from ventral podia; G. Rods and plates from tentacles.