Holothuria (Theelothuria) maculosa Pearson, 1913

THANDAR, AHMED S., 2007, Additions to the aspidochirotid, molpadid and apodid holothuroids (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the east coast of southern Africa, with descriptions of new species, Zootaxa 1414 (1), pp. 1-62 : 35-37

Holothuria (Theelothuria) maculosa Pearson, 1913

Figure 16

Holothuria maculosa Pearson, 1913:53 , pl.6, fig.3.

Holothuria (Theelothuria) maculosa Rowe, 1969:158 (passim); Clark and Rowe, 1971:178 (dist.); Cherbonnier & Féral, 1984:619, fig. 14; Cherbonnier, 1988:139, fig.57.

Type Perhaps in the Colombo Museum, Sri Lanka .

Type locality Aldabra , Seychelles .

Previous southern African record Inhaca Island, Mozambique (see Cherbonnier 1988).

Material examined

UW Ecological Survey, Inhaca Island, west shore, in Cymodocea rotundata on mudflats near P. Rasa (other information not legible), July 1958, 1 spec. (identified as H. impatiens ); SAM-A 27941, UCT Ecological Survey, MOR 228, Linga Linga, Morrumbene, Mozambique, 12 vii 1968, 1 spec.

Description

Length 80mm. Colour, in alcohol, a mottled dull greyish to yellowish brown with eight pairs of dark blotches on dorsum and six series of black specks throughout body length; whitish areas around bases of podia. Tentacles and anal papillae minute; collar not evident. Podia papilliform, scattered. Body wall thin (1– 1.25 mm). Calcareous ring ( Figure 16I ) high, radial plates broader posteriorly with rudimentary posterior bifurcations. Cuvierian tubules present. Gonadal tubules (?testis) remarkably flat.

Tables of body wall numerous, of four types: commonest type ( Figure 16A, B ) with round, distinctly spinose disc (50–70 µm) with a single series of 8–10 marginal holes and a low spire terminating in a ring of about 6–8 teeth, frequently spire or disc reduced ( Figure 16B ); second type less common, with a low spire and a slightly upturned disc up to 60 µm ( Figure 16C ); third type with spinose or slightly knobbed disc (70 µm) with 10–25 tiny holes in one or more series ( Figure 16E ); fourth type like those of Mesothuria , with lobed disc (70 µm) with eight large peripheral holes and a spire terminating in a compact cluster of teeth ( Figure 16D ). Buttons (45–55 µm) numerous, oval, heavily knobbed, with 3–4 pairs of holes, rarely forming fenestrated ellipsoids ( Figure 16F ). Podia with reduced end plates, tables, buttons and button-like knobbed plates (50–100 µm) ( Figure 16G ). Tentacles without deposits. Cloacal and longitudinal muscles without deposits.

Distribution

Perhaps tropical Indo-West Pacific but reported only from Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique and New Caledonia.

Habitat Sandbank or wreck nearby (collector’s note).

Remarks

The UCT specimen ( SAM-A 27941) was described by Thandar (1984), in his thesis, as H. (T.) notabilis Ludwig, 1875 but, regrettably, due to inaccurate cutting and pasting, its description was transposed with that of H. (T.) pseudonotabilis sp. nov. (see below), initially described in the thesis as H. (T.) maculosa . Dr Rowe, who examined the original description and slides, was quick to realize that the specimen represented H. (T.) maculosa and this was independently verified by Drs. Massin and Samyn (pers. comm.), who had the opportunity to examine the complete specimen. The present material resembles the holotype of H. maculosa in its colouration, scattered papilliform podia, presence of Cuvierian tubules and in the typical spicules. It, however, differs in the form of its calcareous ring and the presence of four kinds of tables. The radial plates of the calcareous ring of the holotype are illustrated as being prolonged posteriorly beyond the level of the interradial plates to form rudimentary posterior bifurcations. In the present specimen, however, although rudimentary bifurcations are present, no conspicuous posterior prolongations of the radial plates are evident. Cherbonnier’s figure (1988:57I), on the other hand, shows no bifurcation of the radial plates. Further, only one form of table is described for the holotype but since the other forms are not common they could have been overlooked. Cherbonnier (1988) also studied a specimen (identified as H. maculosa by Dr Heding) from Inhaca Island ( Mozambique), received from the Copenhagen Museum, and comments that it is identical to his Madagascar material. The current Inhaca specimen, wrongly identified as H. impatiens , is robust, 220 x 75 mm with a similar composition of spicules.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Holothuria (Theelothuria) maculosa Pearson. SAM–A27941. A. Normal tables from dorsal body wall; B. same (reduced); C. tables with short spiny spire; D.table with large holes (Mesothuria type); E. table with multilocular disc; F. buttons from dorsal body wall; G. podial deposits; H. madreporite; I. part of calcareous ring. (A & G scale a; H & I scale b)