Thyone propinqua Cherbonnier, 1970

Thandar, Ahmed S., 2008, Additions to the holothuroid fauna of the southern African temperate faunistic provinces, with descriptions of new species, Zootaxa 1697 (1), pp. 1-57 : 8-9

Thyone propinqua Cherbonnier, 1970

Figure 4A–D

Thyone propinqua Cherbonnier, 1970: 289 , fig. 5c–k; Thandar, 1990: 216.

Type MNHNP, EcHh 1493 .

Type locality Mossel Bay , WCP, 19 m. Material examined SAM-A27981, UCT Ecol. Surv., False Bay , St. FAL 493 , 34 o 14' S, 18 o 30' E, 27.x. 1961, 42 m, 1 spec.

Distribution False Bay to Mossel Bay, WCP, 19- 51 m.

Remarks

This species, also well described by Cherbonnier (1970), is based on two specimens collected at 19 m and 51 m from Mossel Bay (holotype) and False Bay respectively. It was recognized, from some UCT material, by Ahearn but the record was not published. Thandar (1990) provided dimensions of the spicules based on a fragment of the body wall of the paratype. The present specimen (23 mm), previously studied by Natasen Moodley (2000), although lacking a calcareous ring, corresponds well with the type. An examination of it and those identified by Ahearn, demonstrate that T. propinqua is a good species and hence the doubt expressed by Thandar (1990) that it might be conspecific with T. venustella must be discounted. This viewpoint is also supported by Natasen Moodley (2000). Ahearn’s material (2 spec.) also came from False Bay, between 33 and 36 m. It is a pity that Cherbonnier (1970) did not examine the introvert spicules. Examination of the type at the MNHNP revealed that the introvert spicules ( Figure 4D ) comprise perforated plates and crinkly rosette-like deposits but no tables and true rosettes.

Figures

FIGURE 4A–D. Thyone propinqua Cherbonnier, 1970, SAM-A27981. A.Tables from ventral body wall; B. tables from ventral podia; C. end-plate. D Holotype EcHh 1493. Introvert deposits. A, B & D scale a; C scale b. E-G. Thyone venustella (Ludwig & Heding, 1935) (ex Natasen Moodley 2000). E. Tables from dorsal body wall; F. abnormal tables from dorsal body wall; G. end-plate from ventral podium. E & F scale c; G scale d. H-K. Thyone venustella (Ludwig & Heding, 1935). SAM-A27755 (6 mm specimen). H.. Tables from body wall; I. plates from introvert; J. plates from tentacles; K. underdeveloped calcareous ring. H-J scale e.