Zygothuria connectens Perrier, 1898

Gebruk, Andrey V., Solis-Marin, Francisco A., Billett, David S. M., Rogacheva, Antonina V. & Tyler, Paul A., 2012, Review of the genus Zygothuria Perrier, 1898 and the Atlantic group of species of the genus Mesothuria Ludwig, 1894 (Synallactidae: Holothuroidea) with description of the new species Mesothuria milleri sp. nov., Journal of Natural History 46, pp. 265-348 : 325-326

Zygothuria connectens Perrier, 1898

( Figure 17 )

Zygothuria connectens – Perrier, 1898: 1665; 1899: 246; 1902: 327–332; Deichmann, 1930: 111.

Mesothuria connectens ( Perrier, 1898) – Mortensen, 1927: 380, textfig. 224.

Material examined

None.

Type material

Syntypes, MNHN, Talisman, St. 60, 07 July 1883, 27 ◦ 31 ′ N, 16 ◦ 28 ′ W, 1975 m, two specimens ; St. 75, 10 July 1883, 25 ◦ 2 ′ to 25 ◦ 1 ′ N, 19 ◦ 11 ′ to 19 ◦ 13 ′ W, 2325–2518 m, one specimen.

Type locality

Atlantic Ocean, off Morocco, 1975–2518 m.

Diagnosis

After Perrier (1902): no apparent papillae on dorsal surface. Lateroventral surface with big pedicels forming row. Mouth ventral, subterminal. One gonad, slender tubes, branched. One Polian vesicle. Respiratory trees well developed.

Ossicles: disk with hole in centre, six to eight perimarginal holes and numerous holes in outer rings ( Figure 17 ). Ossicles typically larger than in Z. lactea . Disk very irregular, spire high, ends in three (rarely four) smooth arms, curving upwards.

Remarks

The description of the species was based on three individuals in poor condition, from off the Canaries at 1975 m and off the coast of Sahara, 2325–2518 m. The tables apparently have numerous holes in disk, and a few were stated to be four-rayed or even five-rayed.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality in the east Atlantic – off Sahara and off the Canary Islands .

Bathymetric range

Depth 1975–2518 m.

Figures

Figure 17. Zygothuria connectens Perrier, 1898 from Perrier, 1902, redrawn, scale unknown.