Kareniella gracilis Heding, 1940

Samyn, Yves & Vandenspiegel, Didier, 2016, Sublittoral and bathyal sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the Northern Mozambique Channel with description of six new species, Zootaxa 4196 (4), pp. 451-497 : 477-478

Kareniella gracilis Heding, 1940

( Fig. 18 A – C)

Kareniella gracilis Heding, 1940: 349 , textfig. 14; Cherbonnier & Féral, 1981: 381, fig.15 A – J. Bathyplotes punctatus ( Sluiter, 1901) : Rowe, 1989: 282.

Material examined. Non-type material: IE-2007-803 (1 specimen, collected between Nosy Bé and Band du Leven)

Remarks. Heding (1940) erected Kareniella for synallactids that are distinctly flattened, have four-pillared tables and have non-retractile tube feet in the median ventral radial area (fig. 14A – C). Rowe (1989: 282) considered K. gracilis to be the junior synonym of Bathyherpystikes punctatus Sluiter, 1901 . We do not agree with this decision as the presence of well-developed medio-ventral tube feet clearly makes K. gracilis a distinctive species to be classified in its own genus. Such was also the conclusion of Cherbonnier & Féral (1981) who had examined some of the type material of K. gracilis .

We however do agree with Rowe (1989) in classifying Bathyherpystikes punctatus in the genus Bathyplotes .

The present record is the first for the Indian Ocean.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Kareniella gracilis Heding, 1940. A – B: Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of specimen IE- 2007 - 803; C: SEM photos of ossicles from the body wall. Scale bars: A, B = 1 cm; C = 50 µm.