Phyrella? bedoti ( Koehler, 1895 ), 1954

Michonneau, François & Paulay, Gustav, 2014, Revision of the genus Phyrella (Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida) with the description of a new species from Guam, Zootaxa 3760 (2), pp. 101-140 : 132

Phyrella? bedoti ( Koehler, 1895)

Figure 24

Phyllophorus bedoti Koehler, 1895: 278–279 , fig. 1–2. Holotype: MHNG INVE82061 ; type locality: Baie d’Amboine

Material examined: MNHG INVE82061 (Holotype), Indonesia, Maluku Islands, Ambon Island, Ambon Bay, 1890 .

Description. External morphology. Body wall soft, slightly contracted, covered with tube feet. Gray/light brown with irregular dark brown spots all over the body wall, tips of podia lighter ( Fig. 24 ). 40 mm along dorsum, 55 mm along venter, and 23 mm wide. Apparently, the specimen was preserved with its introvert retracted which has been removed and is missing. Tube feet abundant, covering entire body, spread across radial and inter-radial areas without clear arrangement except towards oral end they converge in rows corresponding to the ambulacra. Described to have 17 tentacles, now missing.

Internal anatomy. Polian vesicle, madreporite, stone canal are missing along with introvert and calcareous ring. Gonads in two tufts composed of thin, simple, unbranched tubes. Intestine fairly long, with fairly coarse sand. Both respiratory trees extend almost entire length of animal.

Calcareous ring. Dissected out and missing, described as elongated, with both radials and inter-radials fragmented.

Ossicle assemblage. Ossicles very corroded; only rare, small and indistinguishable fragments remain. Description notes rare, typical (4-pillared united by a single cross-beam, 8-holes, smooth-rimmed), with incomplete spire, tables.

Remarks. This species, known only from the type, appears not to have been studied since its description. The reported fragmented inter-radials, regular tables, and 17 tentacles indicate it is a species of Phyrella rather than Phyllophorus . The loss of the type's introvert, calcareous ring, and the corrosion of its ossicles prevent effective comparison with species of Phyrella , and we regard it as species inquirenda. The type locality is the same as Thyonidiella oceana , and no character currently contradicts the synonymy of these two species. Fresh material from the type locality would be necessary to evaluate the status of this species.

Ecology & Distribution. Only recorded from the type locality, Ambon, Indonesia .

Figures

FIGURE 24. Holotype of Phyllophorus bedoti MHNG INVE82061. Lateral view. Scale bar, 1 cm.