Phyllophorus (Phyllophorus) maculatus, Liao, Yulin, Pawson, David L. & Liu, Wei, 2007

Liao, Yulin, Pawson, David L. & Liu, Wei, 2007, Phyllophorus (Phyllophorus) maculatus, a new species of sea cucumber from the Yellow Sea (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida), Zootaxa 1608, pp. 31-34 : 32-34

Phyllophorus (Phyllophorus) maculatus , new species

Figures 1–2

Diagnosis: Medium-sized, up to 80 mm long and 20 mm in diameter. Body cylindrical, posterior end more or less tapering. Tube feet small, scattered on body wall, more numerous ventrally. Tentacles 20 in three circles, 10+5+5. Calcareous ring with medium-length posterior projections on radials, each composed of about 10 small pieces. Ossicles in form of four-pillared tables with low spires, scarce in body wall, present only in posterior region near anus.

Material Examined: HOLOTYPE, IOCAS E- 1110, Yellow Sea, 36ºN, 120ºE, 16 September 2002, 32 m, muddy sand bottom. PARATYPES IOCAS E- 1111, Yellow Sea, 36ºN, 120º30’E, 19 October 2000, 30 m, 2 specimens; IOCAS E- 1112, Yellow Sea, 35º 30’N, 121º30’E, 19 May 2001, 32 m, 1 specimen; IOCAS E- 1113, Yellow Sea, 35º30’N, 121º30’E, 15 June 2003, 33 m, 1 specimen; IOCAS E- 1114, Yellow Sea, 36ºN, 121ºE, 15 June 2004, 32 m, 1 specimen; IOCAS E- 1115, Yellow Sea, 35º 30’N, 121º E, 15 June 2003, 35 m, 1 specimen; IOCAS E- 1116, Yellow Sea, 35º 30’N, 120º 30’E, 11 August 2001, 30 m, 1 specimen; IOCAS E- 1117, Yellow Sea, 36ºN, 121ºE, 15 June 2003, 22 m, 1 specimen; IOCAS E- 1118, Yellow Sea, 35º30’N, 121º30’E, 19 May 2001, 45 m, 1 specimen. All specimens collected with a Petersen grab.

Description: Holotype ( Figure 1 ) 80 mm long, diameter at mid-body 20 mm. Body cylindrical, slightly curved, with anterior end rounded, posterior end more or less tapering. Tentacles retracted; anus terminal, surrounded by five minute papillae. Tentacles 20, apparently in three circles of 10+5+5. Tube feet small, numerous, scattered all over body, more numerous ventrally than dorsally. Body wall thick, soft. Color in alcohol whitish or cream, with numerous black bands or patches.

Ossicles in body wall scarce or absent. No ossicles in anterior and middle part of body, except for endplates in tube feet ( Figure 1 C). Ossicles present only in vicinity of anus, as tables ( Figure 2 A) with low fourpillared spires. Disk perforated by four large central holes and 8–12 small peripheral holes; edge of disc sinuous, with small peripheral knobs. Spire end in crown of eight spines. Disk diameter 74–179μm (average 120μm), spire height 51–63 μm. In tentacles, delicate supporting rods ( Figure 2 B) of length 68–310μm (average 180μm), often with one or two perforations at extremities. In introvert, rosettes only ( Figure 2 D).

Paratypes: Nine paratypes collected near or at same station as holotype. Two paratypes lack ossicles altogether; collectors noted that these two specimens had been placed in formalin for several days; presumably ossicles dissolved due to acidic conditions. In one paratype tube feet arranged in five double rows in radii, and apparently absent from interradii; other features identical with those of the holotype. Calcareous ring ( Figure 1 ) large, about 20 mm in length, including posterior projections, ring composed of five compound radial and five single interradial plates. Radials divided anteriorly into two unequal halves by a deep notch; posterior projections each composed of 8–10 small pieces. Interradials lower, more or less triangular, anterior point attenuate, posterior base broad, rounded. Polian vesicle and stone canal single.

Etymology: The species name is derived from Latin macula, in reference to the blotches of color on the body wall of this species.

Remarks: It is assumed that this is a burrowing species, like most of its relatives. This new species differs from its consubgeners in possessing body wall tables with short spires, the tables present only in the vicinity of the anus; in the shape of the calcareous ring; and in the color of the body.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Phyllophorus (Phyllophorus) maculatus new species. Left, lateral view of Holotype, total length 80 mm. Right, calcareous ring of a Paratype, length of ring 20 mm.

FIGURE 2. Phyllophorus (Phyllophorus) maculatus new species. A, tables from posterior end of body; B, rods from tentacles; C, endplate from tube foot; D, rosettes from introvert.