The sea cucumber Echinopsolus murrayi Théel, 1886 n. comb. (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the southwestern Atlantic, redescription of the holotype and description of new specimens

Abstract

: Psolus murrayi Théel, 1886 was one of the multiple species described from the specimens collected by the HMS Challenger Expedition. This species was placed in Psolus , genus with dorsal scales. Among holothuroids, there are some taxa that have a dense presence of dorsal ossicles, which gives them a psolid-like appearance. From the presence of different ossicles and the absence of scales on dorsal side, we here redescribe the species now, known as Echinopsolus murrayi (Théel, 1886) n. comb. This species has dorsal warts full of ossicles, ten tentacles and rectangular sole with three rows of podia. Body wall ossicles are plates and cups, and multilayered plates exclusively on dorsal body wall. For tentacles and podia, ossicles are curved and straight perforated bars.