Phyrella drozdovi ( Levin & Stepanov, 1999 )

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 : 111-112

Phyrella drozdovi ( Levin & Stepanov, 1999)

Semperiella drozdovi Levin & Stepanov, 1999: 71–74 , figs. 1–8. Holotype: Kamchat-NIRO, catalog number: KNIRO-V-001; Paratypes: KNIRO-V-002, KNIRO-V-003; types transferred to Zoological Institute Russian Academy of Sciences , Saint Petersburg, Russia (Alexey Smirnov, pers. comm.); type locality: Vietnam, Gulf of Nhatrang, Tam Island, intertidal zone

Remarks. This species is known from three specimens from Tam Island, Vietnam: the 5.2 cm long holotype, and 4.6 and 3.4 cm long paratypes. The general appearance (coloration, shape, arrangement of the tube feet, presence of anal teeth), shape of calcareous ring, ossicle assemblage, and number of tentacles (14–15) are all characteristic of Phyrella . This species was originally assigned to Semperiella because of its 15 tentacles, previously thought to be of generic significance. The ecology of P. drozdovi is also similar to P. fragilis (abundant, intertidal, under rocks, densely coated with adhering sediment). However, there are also some differences, in particular in the ossicles: most if not all tables have a poorly developed spire, there are perforated plates in the tentacles, and elongated perforated plates in the introvert. This species appears to belong to Phyrella . We have not been able to study the type series, which will be necessary to evaluate the species' distinctiveness from P. fragilis , the congener most similar in morphology, distribution, and ecology.

Ecology & distribution. Known only from the type locality, Tam Island , Vietnam, where it is common in an intertidal pebble-cobble beach .