Caudina intermedia, a new species of sea cucumber from the South China Sea (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Molpadiida)

3 Pages·1993·1.3 MB·

by  Liao Yulin

PROC. BIOL. SOC. WASH.
106(2), 1993, pp. 366-368
CAUDINA INTERMEDIA, A NEW SPECIES OF SEA
CUCUMBER FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
(ECHINODERMATA: HOLOTHUROIDEA: MOLPADIIDA)
Yulin Liao and David L. Pawson
Abstract. —Caudina intermedia, new species is described. The bodywall os-
sicles ofthis species are exclusively tables; knobbed buttons orplates are absent.
The tables are typical ofthe genus Caudina Stimpson, 1853 in the strict sense,
but the absence of other ossicle types suggests some affinities with the genus
Hedingia Deichmann, 1938. A revised key to the known species of Caudina
is presented.
Subsequent to the publication of our re- es of calcareous ring with short bifid pos-
cent paper on the molpadiid sea cucumbers terior projections; interradial pieces slightly
of China (Pawson & Liao 1992), an addi- wider than radials (Fig, IG). Stone canal
tional new molpadiid species was found in and polian vesicle single.
the collections of the Institute of Oceanol- Body wall ossicles exclusively tables, dif-
ogy, Academia Sinica, Qingdao (lOAS). fering slightly in various parts ofthe body.
In anterior body wall, disc more or less cir-
Family Caudinidae Heding, 1931 cular or irregular in outline, 130-180 iim. in
SD
Caudina Stimpson, 1853 diameter(A^148 ^ni, 9.3), withfourlarge
central perforations and 5-10 peripheral
For a summary ofthe caudinids ofChina,
& ones. Spire tall, average height 150 ixm, sol-
see Pawson Liao (1992).
id, derived from four converging and fused
pillars, terminating in three or four spines
Caudina intermedia, new species
(Fig. lA, B). In median and posterior body
lA-G
Fig.
wall ossicles, disc more or less square in
Material examined. —HoloXype, lOAS outline, average diameter 150 ij,m, com-
E1056. off eastern Guangdong, 21°45'N, monly with four large perforations; spire
115°30'E, 9 Jan 1960, 107 m, muddy sand solid, average height 100 fxm, endingin three
bottom. Paratype, lOAS El057, same lo- blunt teeth (Fig. IC, D). Tables in tail (Fig.
cality as Holotype. 1E, F) smaller, with numerous perforations
—
Diagnosis. Ossicles of body wall exclu- and small knobs onperipheryandelsewhere
sively tables with solid spires derived from on disc. Spire low, solid; in a few cases a
four pillars fused together, terminating in a single crossbar present.
few teeth. Knobbed buttons, perforated Remarks.—This new species is distinct
plates, and phosphatic deposits absent. from other Caudina species in lacking ac-
Description. —Body more or less barrel- cessory ossicles in the form of buttons or
shaped, with conspicuous narrow tail. Ho- plates (see key below). In possessing only
mm mm
lotype 19 long, 1 in diameter, tail tables in the body wall, C. intermedia ap-
mm
7 long; Paratype approximately the proaches Hedingia Deichmann, 1938, but
same size. Body wall thin, translucent. Anus the tables of Hedingia are usually consid-
surrounded by five minute anal teeth. Color erably larger (200-300 fim), have more per-
in alcohol dirty gray to whitish. Radial piec- forations, andtypicallyhave two-pillared or
VOLUME 106, NUMBER 2 367
Fig. 1. Caudina intermedia, new species. A, tables from anteriorbody wall; B, same in profile view; C, tables
from median and posterior body wall; D, same, in profile view; E, tables from tail; F, same, in profile view; G,
radial and interradial pieces ofcalcareous ring. The scale measures 200 ^m for A-D, 100 ^m for E-F, and 1.2
mm
for G.
368 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
(more commonly) three-pillared spires. Both - Discs of tables 150-180 ^ni in di-
mm
specimens ofC. intermedia are only 19 ameter; perforated plates vary only
long. It is conceivable that buttons or plates slightly in form and in number of
may develop with further growth, but not holes, often possessing a few low
likely, for in other species of Caudina the knobs
&
full complement ofossicle types is reached zhejiangensis Pawson Liao 1992
. . .
at an early age and small size.
Literature Cited
Key to the Known Species of Caudina
& Augustin, E. 1908. Uber Japanische Seewalzen.—
(modified after Pawson Liao 1992) Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Bayehschen
1. Tables inconspicuous, scarce, re- Akademie der Wissenschaften. II. Supplement
i:1^4.
duced to rods or plates, or lacking Deichmann, E. 1938. New holothurians from the
arenicola (Stimpson, 1853) western coast ofNorth America and some re-
- Tables conspicuous, numerous, with marks on the genus Caudina.—VioctQdmgs of
well-developed spire and disk .... 2 the New England Zoological Club 16:103-1 15.
Gould, A. A. 1841. Report on the Invertebrata of
2. Tables accompanied by knobbed
Massachusetts. Cambridge, Massachusetts, xiii
buttons or perforated plates 3 + 372 pp.
- Only tables present; buttons and Heding, S. G. 1931. On the classification ofthe mol-
plates absent intermedia, new species padids.—VidenskabeUgeMeddelelserfraDansk
. .
3. Tables accompanied by knobbed naturhistorisk Forening i Kjobenhavn 92:275-
284.
buttons 4
Pawson,D. L. 1977. Molpadiidseacucumbers(Echi-
- Tables accompanied by perforated
nodermata: Holothuroidea) ofthe SouthernAt-
plates; no buttons 5 lantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.—Biology of
4. Buttons not abundant, weakly theAntarcticSeasVI.AntarcticResearchSeries
knobbed, usually oval in outline, 26:97-123.
& Y. Liao. 1992. Molpadiid sea cucumbers
with two large elliptical and two ,
of China, with description of five new species
small circular holes —
(Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). Proceed-
arenata Gould, 1841 ings ofthe BiologicalSocietyofWashington 105:
- Buttons abundant, strongly 373-388.
knobbed, usually with irregular out- Stimpson, W. 1853. Synopsis ofthe marine inver-
—
line, the fourholes more orless alike tebrates of the Grand Manan. Smithsonian
Contributions to Knowledge 5:6-17.
in size and form
similis (Augustin, 1908) (YL) Institute of Oceanology, Academia
5. Discs of tables 180-280 ixm in di- Sinica, 7 Nan-Hai Road, Tsingtao, People's
ameter; perforated plates very vari- Republic of China; (DLP) Department of
ablein form andinnumberofholes, Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of
lacking knobs Natural History, Smithsonian Institution,
atacta Pawson & Liao 1992 Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A.