Aslia surinamensis ( Semper 1868 )

Pawson, David L., Pawson, Doris J. & King, Rachael A., 2010, A taxonomic guide to the Echinodermata of the South Atlantic Bight, USA: 1. Sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea), Zootaxa 2449, pp. 1-48 : 17

Aslia surinamensis ( Semper 1868)

Figure 10

Thyone surinamensis Semper 1868: 65 , pl. 15 fig. 15; Deichmann, 1930: 173, pl.16 figs. 5–8. Ocnus surinamensis .— Hendler et al., 1995: 260, figs 141, 178C, D.

Material examined. USNM E23989 , N.C., Beaufort, July 11, 1941. USNM E31673, Florida, 27°52’48”N, 80°27’24”W, July 8, 1984, shallow flat.

Diagnosis. Body cylindrical, up to 10 cm long. Color light to dark brown, or gray to purple; feet white, flecked with brown to black spots. Thin body wall rigid and slightly gritty to touch, due to presence of numerous ossicles. Adult with uniform covering of feet. Body wall ossicles knobbed buttons (75–100 μm) and cups (55–75 μm). Cups nearly as large as buttons, with a deep concavity delimited by 4 spokes. The spokes attach to a rim that bears knobs on inner and outer margins.

Distribution. MD to W FL, Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda, Caribbean, Colombia, Surinam, Venezuela.

Habitat. Near shore in less than 1m, beneath rocks, in crevices, and among seagrass.

Remarks. Hendler et al. (1995) note that individuals of this species cover themselves with detritus or shell and rock fragments, grasping the fragments with powerful feet. The animal attaches itself so firmly to its preferred substrate of rocks and rubble that it is usually impossible to remove a specimen without tearing off some of the feet.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Aslia surinamensis (Semper 1868). A, whole animal; B, button; C, D, cups in top and side view.