A new subgenus of Holothuria with a description of a new species from the South-East Atlantic Ocean
In: Journal of Zoology. Zoological Society of London: London. ISSN 0952-8369; e-ISSN 1469-7998, more
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| Abstract |
A new species of an aspidochirotid holothurian, Holothuria vemae sp. nov., from the Verna Seamount in the south-east Atlantic Ocean, is described. The new species is referable to Rowe's (1969) Lessonothuria group, but since it, together with the north-east Atlantic H. ( L.) arguinensis Koehler & Yaney and the Mediterranean H. ( L.) poli delle Chiaje, differs significantly from the other species currently included in this subgenus, a new subgenus, Roweothuria, is erected to accommodate the three species. The relationship of the new subgenus is discussed with reference to the provisional evolutionary tree proposed by Rowe (1969), where it is shown that Roweothuria probably occupies an intermediate position either between Acanthotrapeza and Lessonothuria or between the latter subgenus and Vaneyothuria. A table is presented summarizing the principal differences between the three species included in the new subgenus. |
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