taxonID	type	description	language	source
174487A93852D77039E3DFD3B084FED6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (see Deichmann 1954; Gebruk et al. 2012)	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93852D77039E3DFD3B084FED6.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 32143, west coast of South Africa, between Cape Peninsula and just north of Lambert’s Bay, 32 ° 28 ' S, 16 ° 42 ' E, Demersal Trawl V 279, 11 / 01 / 2012, Trawl 005 - 6187, 907 m, 1 spec.; A 32144, same locality as spec. 1, Trawl 006 - 4116, 369 m, 1 spec.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93852D77039E3DFD3B084FED6.taxon	description	Description. Both specimens poorly preserved. Body oval in live state, sub-cylindrical to oval in preservative. Skin thick, with folds and wrinkles, covered in a slimy coat with very fine adhering sediment and fish scales. Mouth ventral, anus terminal, anal teeth / papillae absent. Colour in life white, almost translucent, white to grey in alcohol. Length up to 83 mm, width of mid-body up to 26 mm. Tube feet very reduced, difficult to discern. Tentacles 20, rounded with 3 – 4 terminal processes. A 32144 — eviscerated, calcareous ring and associated structures lost; gonad and respiratory trees absent; large intestine filling almost entire coelomic cavity. Longitudinal muscles unpaired, thin. A 32143 — partially eviscerated, calcareous ring, Polian vesicle, respiratory trees and gonad absent; stone canal attached to dorsal body wall; madreporite small, bean-shaped; longitudinal muscles as in A 32144. Ossicles present in body wall and tentacles only. Dorsal and ventral body wall ossicles comprise triradiate tables with rounded disc (69 – 134 µm), with irregular margins and with a central hole surrounded by 6 - 8 large marginal holes; spire with three smooth pillars, terminating in a single point or in three fork-like projections, and a single transverse beam. Tentacle rods short (200 - 345 µm), margins usually adorned with spines, rarely smooth, medially indented at times.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93852D77039E3DFD3B084FED6.taxon	distribution	Distribution (from Gebruk et al. 2012). Cosmopolitan with numerous records from the north-east Atlantic, also known from the north-west Atlantic, off West Africa, south-east Atlantic Ocean, Indo-Malayan archipelago and New Zealand, 694 – 5278 m.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93852D77039E3DFD3B084FED6.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Due to the poorly preserved and eviscerated state of the specimens, it is difficult to make an accurate determination but the specimens come very close to Zygothuria lactea (Théel, 1886) in the general body form and appearance of the tri-radiate tables. While the form of the tables may be identical to those described for the species, the disc diameter is noticeably smaller than that recorded by Théel (disc 200 µm) and Gebruk et al. (disc 150 – 200 µm). Stellate or hexagonal discs are not obvious and none of the pillars are adorned with spines. This is the first record of tentacle deposits in the species. Tube feet rods reported by Gebruk et al. (2012), Théel (1886) and Mortensen (1927) were not observed. This species has been recorded from the south-east Atlantic Ocean by the ‘ Valdivia’ (Heding 1940), about 3000 - 4000 km off the west coast of South Africa. The current record is therefore the first from truly South African waters; hence some geographic variations between distantly distributed populations (north and mid-South Atlantic and the South African region) must exist with one specimen possessing table spires terminating in a single point only and incomplete discs. These could be attributed to individual or age variations, as one specimen measured 70 mm and the other 100 mm. It does not appear that two species are here represented. The combination Zygothuria lactea (Théel, 1886) has been accepted by WoRMS. The north-east Atlantic variety oxysclera, reported by Perrier (1902) and Mortensen (1927), but rejected by several workers since, has been elevated to full specific status by Gebruk et al. (2012). It is characterised by tables with a meshwork-like holes on the discs and a single-armed spire which is often armed by minute spines. This combination has also been accepted by WoRMS. The specimen with tables with single armed spire, in the current collection, is not ascribed to this species because of the deterioration of most of the table discs.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93850D77639E3DDC3B741FD31.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (see Thandar 2009)	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93850D77639E3DDC3B741FD31.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 31419, West Coast Survey 2011, just north of Lambert’s Bay, 31 ° 51.325 ' S, 16 ° 27.789 ' E, Demersal Trawl 060 - 4080, Cruise 270, 368 m, 29 / 01 / 2011, 2 specs.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93850D77639E3DDC3B741FD31.taxon	description	Description. Body sub-cylindrical, slightly flattened ventrally, slightly arched dorsally, length up to 55 mm, width of mid-body up to 5 mm; encrusted predominantly with sand grains, but Foraminifera and shell debris also present. Skin with longitudinal ridges and depressions, mostly concentrated in extremities of ventro-lateral regions, encrustations more abundant in depressions. Mouth ventral, anus sub-ventral. Colour in live state white, off-white to grey in alcohol. Tube feet very reduced (0.5 – 1.5 mm), fine, in paired longitudinal rows dorso- and ventrolaterally, more common dorsally; mid-ventral and mid-dorsal regions naked, tube feet reach level of mouth and anus. Papillae and anal teeth absent. Both specimens with part of gut protruding through anus. Pygal furrow distinct. Tentacles 20, peltate, crown 1 mm in diameter. Calcareous ring fragile, radial and inter-radial plates notched posteriorly, radial plates larger and more deeply notched; inter-radial plates each with triangular anterior projection; radial plates undulating anteriorly. Gut filled with sediment. Stone canal and madreporite not detected. Polian vesicle single, 5 mm, saccular. Respiratory trees yellow, well-branched, left tree spans just over half the body length, right tree extends throughout length of body, attached to body wall, both trees originate from single stem posteriorly. Gonad large, single tuft, unbranched. Longitudinal muscles thick, paired, appear cylindrical. Ossicles only present in tentacles, tube feet, respiratory trees and gonad. Tentacles with straight or slightly curved rods (124 – 220 µm), usually with smooth margins or sometimes adorned with few spines, extremities may be branched, toothed, truncate, rarely perforate. Tube feet rods similar in form but smaller (98 – 152 µm) and with greater curvature due to their concentric arrangement within each podium. Respiratory trees with very small (74 – 92 µm), usually x-shaped rods formed from dichotomously branching arms which may sometimes branch more than twice, rods thickened centrally, usually before branching of arms. Arms taper into extremities forming sharp, pointed ends which may be adorned with one or two spinelets. Gonad with small y-shaped or straight rods, variable in size (32 – 84 µm), centrally thickened, arms tapering into extremities forming sharp, pointed ends; often as c- or s-shaped bodies, sometimes irregularly branched, also present. Pygal lobes without ossicles.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93850D77639E3DDC3B741FD31.taxon	distribution	Distribution. South and west coasts of South Africa, 186 – 368 m.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93850D77639E3DDC3B741FD31.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The most comprehensive revision of pygal-furrowed synallactids is by O’Loughlin and Ahearn (2005). In this revision, the authors described new species, presented new combinations and provided a wellconstructed key to the group (Thandar 2009). According to Thandar this species comes close to Pseudostichopus occultatus von Marenzeller, 1893 and P. peripatus (Sluiter, 1901).	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93856D77B39E3DF5BB056F9D5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (see Théel 1886, Massin 1992).	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93856D77B39E3DF5BB056F9D5.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 32145, off Lamberts Bay, Demersal West Coast Trawl V 279, 32 ° 19.41 ' S, 16 ° 19.40 ' E, Demersal Trawl 007 - 6172, Cruise 279, 633 m, 11 / 01 / 2012, Lara Atkinson, 3 specs.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93856D77B39E3DF5BB056F9D5.taxon	description	Description. Body elongate, form sub-cylindrical, slightly flattened, flaccid. Length up to 221 mm, width in mid-body 24 mm in preservative. Skin thick, soft, smooth. Mouth ventral, anus terminal. Preserved colouration deep purple with some regions off-white. Tentacles 20, peltate, off-white to yellow, densely packed in two circles, reduced tentacles in inner circle. Tube feet restricted to ventral surface, length 3 – 15 mm, slender, cylindrical, more or less confined to ambulacra with a few in inter-ambulacral regions, ventro-laterally in 2 – 3 rows, mid-ventrally in two paired rows, coalesced and densely packed posteriorly, extending to mouth and anus. Papillae in six rows, varying in length, often highly reduced (2 – 14 mm), longer at extremities of body. Tube feet and papillae surround both mouth and anus ventrally and dorsally. Anal teeth absent. Specimen 1 — eviscerated, only calcareous ring and Polian vesicle present, other structures lost; length 57 mm. Plates of calcareous ring fused, notched posteriorly, radial plates larger, undulating anteriorly, deeply notched posteriorly; inter-radial plates with triangular anterior projection. Polian vesicle single, large (35 mm), saccular. Longitudinal muscles unpaired, broad. Specimen 2 — length 87 mm; calcareous ring and longitudinal muscles identical to those of specimen 1. Stone canal and madreporite not observed. Polian vesicles three, saccular, two large (12 mm, 14 mm) and one very reduced (5 mm). Only one respiratory tree present, 35 mm long, well developed. Gonad elongate, unbranched, full of eggs. Body wall ossicles as cruciform bodies (pseudo-tables) of variable size (disc diam. 64 – 243 µm) with tri-radiate disc, with each arm usually dichotomously branched or bifurcate or anastomosing terminally, forming one or more perforations, but rarely a complete disc, but never lattice-like; spire (pseudo-spire) (34 – 84 µm), with or without terminal hole but sometimes terminally bifurcate. Tube feet with large rods, small and large cruciform bodies and end-plates. Large rods of variable form and size (354 – 738 µm), curved or straight, spinous or smooth, slender or bulky, perforated at one or both ends or without perforations, sometimes terminally forked, sometimes with third arm, with or without perforations. Small cruciform bodies (37 – 75 µm) with three, usually branched arms with bifurcate, non-perforate ends; spire short (19 – 53 µm), with or without terminal hole and teeth. Large cruciform bodies (100 – 150 µm) with three arms, with or without terminal hole, pillars nearly half length of arms (47 – 59 µm), also with or without terminal hole. End-plates large (232 – 261 µm), multilocular, with irregular margin. Papillae also with similar cruciform bodies (crosses) - small crosses (disc diam. 88 – 137 µm; pillar height 44 – 142 µm); large crosses (disc diam. 222 – 434 µm; spire height 64 – 197 µm). Papillae rods of variable size (310 – 621 µm) and form, usually with smooth margin and one end with multiple perforations. Rods with spinous margin, side projections and both extremities with or without perforations. Anal region predominantly with large cruciform bodies (disc diam. 128 – 424 µm, spire height 54 – 113 µm) with three dichotomously branched arms with terminal perforations, arms sometimes anastomosing, forming an almost complete disc. Tentacles comprise small and large rods; small rods (97 – 153 µm), usually with smooth margins or adorned with a few spines, extremities sometimes bifurcate, with or without teeth; large rods (197 – 714 µm) with spinous margins, sometimes with side projections with or without teeth, extremities non-perforate or perforated at one or both ends. Théel Massin Current collection 1886 1992 Distribution Antarctic region (46 ° Sub-Antarctic (Marion and West coast of South 53 ' S, 51 ° 52 ' E) Prince Edward Islands) Africa (32 ° 19 ' S, 16 ° 19 ' E) Body wall cruciform bodies 3 – 4 armed, disc diam. 56 3 – 4 armed, disc diam. 35 – 100 3 - armed only, disc diam. deposits Μm, spire height 80 Μm Μm, spire height 40 – 50 Μm 63 – 243 Μm, spire height 34 – 84 Μm Tube feet rods not recorded 220 – 660 Μm 354 – 738 Μm cruciform bodies disc diam. 60 – 100 Μm small ones with disc diam. 37 – 75 Μm; large ones 100 – 150 Μm diam. end-plates can reach 1 mm in diam. 232 – 261 Μm Papillae cruciform bodies disc diam. 280 Μm disc diam. 20 – 350 Μm small 37 – 75 Μm disc diam.; large 100 – 150 Μm disc diam. Tentacles rods not recorded. 60 – 800 Μm small 97 – 153 Μm, large 197 – 714 Μm Distribution (After Solis-Marin 2003, extended herein). Off Crozet, Marion and Prince Edward Islands, off southern Australia, in the north Pacific from Alaska (Uyak Bay and Kodiak Island) and now possibly the west coast of South Africa, 20 – 1115 m.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93856D77B39E3DF5BB056F9D5.taxon	discussion	Remarks. According to Massin (1992) S. challengeri is known to be restricted to the Sub-Antarctic waters. However, Edwards (1907) recorded this species from Alaska but this record needs verification (Solis-Marin 2003). The species has also been reported from southern Australia (Solis Marin 2003). The specimens in the current collection strongly resemble S. challengeri, as described by Théel (1886) and redescribed by Massin (1992) from both the type and new materials, but with some variations. Table 1 compares the three samples. Both authors describe the skin as thin, whereas the current specimens all have thick skins but this may be due to their greater degree of contraction. Specimens from all collections indicate that S. challengeri has a variable size range (69 mm to more than 160 mm). Théel (1886) mentions that the papillae are scattered across the ambulacral and inter-ambulacral regions, with the arrangement in rows being obvious only dorso-laterally. However, specimens examined by Massin (1992) and those in the current collection, display papillae in six distinct longitudinal rows. The number of tentacles in Théel’s specimens (19) also differs from specimens examined by Massin and in the current collection (20) but such an oddity is quite common amongst holothuroids. Similarly, the presence of a branched gonad described by Théel was not apparent in one of the specimens in which the gonad was identified. The number and size of Polian vesicles are also variable in all collections. Four- armed cruciform bodies were not observed in the current material. However, the form of the ossicles from the tube feet, papillae and tentacles correspond well with other descriptions but their size vary across collections (see Table 3). The diameter of the cruciform bodies of the body wall was larger in the current collection. The end-plates recorded by Massin (1992) are massive when compared to those in the current collection. Cruciform bodies and tentacle rods in the current collection were divided into two size-groups: small and large. The cruciform bodies of the papillae examined by both Théel and Massin appear to have a much higher upper size limit than those in the current collection. The tentacle rods in Massin’s material also have a greater size variation than those of the current collection. However, both Théel (1886) and Massin (1992) did not differentiate the cruciform bodies of the tube feet and tentacle rods on size. Hence, the southern African material is only tentatively referred to S. challengeri as it may prove to be another species or one that is new to science. The differences may eventually prove to be only geographic variations in a distantly distributed population. It must here be noted that some west coast species, especially those from the Namibian – Angolan region do have Antarctic affinities (eg. the ascidian fauna, see Primo & Vázquez 2004). Therefore, it is possible for the above Subantarctic species to also occur in the cold waters of the southern African west coast.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385BD77F39E3DA8DB71CFAC3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (see Cherbonnier 1952, Solis-Marin 2003)	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385BD77F39E3DA8DB71CFAC3.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 31645, South Coast Survey 2011, off the coast of George, South Africa (34 ° 35 ' S, 22 ° 36 ' E), Demersal Trawl 066 - 6546, Cruise 273, 650 m, 30 / 04 / 2011, RV Leslie, 8 specs.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385BD77F39E3DA8DB71CFAC3.taxon	description	Description. Most specimens damaged and / or eviscerated, with tears in the mid-body and anal region; intact specimen sub-cylindrical, ventrally flattened, dorsally arched. Sample length 63 – 104 mm, width of mid-body 7 – 16 mm. Tentacles peltate, 16 – 22, off-white to yellowish-brown, tightly arranged in two circles. Live colouration dark purple to brown, purple to off-white in alcohol. Body wall soft, thin, smooth. Mouth ventral; anus terminal, ventrally directed. Tube feet variable in size, in one mid-ventral and two ventro-lateral bands, decreasing in size posteriorly. Ventro-lateral tube feet in two distinct rows, mid-ventral tube feet in 2 – 3 rows, scattered at times; ventro-lateral tube feet extend to anterior end, while mid-ventral tube feet stop 3 – 10 mm before mouth; regions between mid-ventral and ventro-lateral tube feet naked. Papillae dorsal and dorso-lateral, in six rows, arise from much reduced wart-like structures, extending to anal region, descreasing in size posteriorly, longer papillae (2 – 5 mm) surround mouth dorsally. Calcareous ring well developed, radial and interradial plates fused. Plates notched posteriorly, radial plates more so; interradial plates with sharp anterior projection; radial plates bifurcate anteriorly. Stone canal 8 mm long, highly coiled, no evidence of distinct madreporite but single, large pore present at terminal end of stone canal (? damaged madreporite). Polian vesicles two, one much larger, saccular, mid-dorsal. Respiratory trees mostly lost, where present left tree more profusely branched, up to third body length. Gonad in two tufts, highly branched. Longitudinal muscles in double bands, yellow. Body wall ossicles comprise 3 – 4 armed tables of two sizes, arms of dorsal tables longer (120 – 140 µm), terminally perforated with 1 – 2 holes; spire of moderate height (60 – 100 µm), terminating in two or three projections which are sometimes spinous. Ventral tables more reduced (arms 10 – 30 µm, spire height 20 – 40 µm), appearing mostly as crosses, also with 1 – 2 holes on each arm, spires terminally spinous. Anal region with tables similar to those of dorsal body wall, but bulkier (arms 70 – 160 µm, spire 70 – 90 µm), each arm with 1 – 4 terminal holes, usually one large hole and other smaller ones. Tentacle ossicles comprise small (50 – 120 µm) to large (230 – 270 µm) curved rods, larger ones with spinous outgrowths, smaller ones either smooth or spinous. Tube feet also with rods similar to those of tentacles but larger and more variable in size (290 – 420 µm) with perforations sometimes occurring at one extremity which can be smooth or spinous, some tube feet rods with marginal projections, some with ornamented ends; end-plates massive, complex network of plates. Papillae with large rods with spinous outgrowths, identical to those of tube feet.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385BD77F39E3DA8DB71CFAC3.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Off south and west coast of Western Cape Province, South Africa, 366 – 1006 m.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385BD77F39E3DA8DB71CFAC3.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species, despite its determination, is described in some detail as it may not be connspecific with Cherbonnier’s (1952) species. Thandar (2008) provides a table comparing several related species of Synallactes. The specimens at hand most closely resemble Cherbonnier’s type and Thandar’s S. cf. mollis, with several differences (see Table 2). They resemble Cherbonnier’s type and Thandar’s S. cf. mollis in being subcylindrical with a thin body wall. The depth at which the current specimens were taken (650 m) falls in-between that recorded by Cherbonnier (366 m) and Thandar (1006 m). a bathymetric range endorsed by Solis-Marin (2003) as being characteristic of the Synallactidae family. The length of the current material ranges from 63 – 104 mm, which falls within the size of Thandar’s specimen (75 mm) but well outside that of Cherbonnier’s S. mollis (220 mm), perhaps representing juvenile material. However, the mid-body width (7 – 16 mm) is much smaller than that recorded by Thandar (37 mm) and Cherbonnier (50 mm). This can be also be attributed to the juvenility of the material and loss of most internal organs. A double ring of 18 tentacles was recorded for the holotype of S. mollis, while a range of 16 – 22 is here recorded for the current material. The position of the mouth and anus is identical to that of S. cf. mollis. S. mollis S. cf. mollis S. mollis spire height not mentioned large 50 – 110 µm, small 60 – 100 µm 20 – 100 µm Size of ventral body wall tables disc diam large 160 µm, large 110 – 340 µm, small 30 – 50 µm small 80 – 100 µm 50 – 110 µm arm length large 90 – 130 µm, small large 43 – 100 µm small 14 – 10 – 30 µm 30 – 40 µm 43 µm spire height large 40 – 90 µm, large 50 – 70 µm, 20 – 40 µm small 30 – 70 µm small 40 – 50 µm While the arrangement of tube feet in one mid-ventral and two ventro-lateral bands is common in all materials, their distributions differ. Thandar described the ventro-lateral tube feet in two zigzag rows, while in the current collection they form almost distinct double rows. Cherbonnier also recorded two longitudinal rows in the ventrolateral radii. While 4 – 6 rows of tube feet were recorded mid-ventrally for the holotype, Thandar recorded only 3 – 4 rows. The current collection shows only 2 – 3 rows of sometimes irregularly distributed mid-ventral tube feet. Thandar noted the extension of the mid-ventral tube feet to the mouth. In the current collection, the ventro-lateral tube feet extend to the mouth but the mid-ventral tube feet stop 3 – 10 mm short of the mouth. Six rows of papillae occur in all specimens, but their length varies, being much reduced in the current collection. Thandar (2008) reported the absence of oral papillae in his specimen, but in the current collection there are papillae encircling the mouth dorsally and are larger than the dorsal papillae. Cherbonnier (1952) described the calcareous ring as being well-calcified and massive, with a very irregular form, whereby the distinction between radial and inter-radial plates could only be made through the examination of the muscle attachment points. However, the current specimens display a clear distinction between the interradial plates, with a single anterior projection, and the radial plates which anterior bifurcation. It is noteworthy that Cherbonnier (1952) also recorded two Polian vesicle. The ossicles of the body wall in all three materials are consistently 3 – 4 armed tables, larger dorsally, with the arms never fusing to form a complete disc, like they do in S. viridilimus and S. samyni. Both Cherbonnier (1952) and Thandar (2008) recorded the presence of large and small tables in the dorsal body wall, with the smaller ones being rare. In the current collection there are no obvious differences in the size of the tables but a clear difference in size between the dorsal and ventral tables. Therefore table sizes were taken as a collective in each region. Dorsal table disc mean size in the current collection (90 µm) is much smaller than the mean recorded for the larger tables by Thandar (280 µm) but within the means of his smaller table discs (80 µm) and the large table discs (130 µm) recorded by Cherbonnier. The mean length of the table arms of the current material (130 µm) corresponds well with the mean determined from ossicles from the type (130 µm) and the mean of the smaller table arms recorded by Thandar (166 µm). However, unlike Thandar’s form, the arms never form racquet-like expansions. The dorsal table arms with one or two terminal holes more closely resemble those of the large table arms of the holotype. However, the mean spire height is close to that recorded by Thandar (70 µm), also terminating in three teeth or projections. The ventral table discs are smaller than those of the large table discs noted by Thandar (mean 180 µm) and the large (mean 160 µm) and small (mean 90 µm) discs illustrated by Cherbonnier, but within the range of the smaller table discs recorded by Thandar (mean 80 µm). The mean arm-length of tables of the current material is close to that of the arms of the small tables (40 µm) but not to that of the larger tables (110 µm) illustrated by Cherbonnier. The spire height is within the range of both Cherbonnier’s and Thandar’s specimens. However, it should be noted that the difference between spire height of the large and small tables is small and their size range tend to overlap. This suggests that all spire heights fall within a general range of 30 – 80 µm, irrespective of the size of the table or the region from which it was extracted. The presence of thicker tables in the anal region observed in the current collection, was also noted by Cherbonnier (1952). The small holes at one or both ends of the tentacular rods, noted by Thandar (2008), were not found in the current collection. The tube feet and papillae rods conform to descriptions provided by Cherbonnier (1952) and Thandar (2008), though the mean size of tube feet rods provided by Thandar (510 µm) is 150 µm more than that of the current collection. There are thus many variations in the three forms but due to the general body form and the resemblance of the ossicles to the holotype, the specimens are here assigned to S. mollis and Thandar’s cf. S. mollis is considered a synonym of this species. It is here noted that since all specimens are small the differences may just be age variations. However, this could not be determined with any degree of certainty since in only one specimen from those dissected the gonad is intact but lacks gametes.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385FD76339E3D981B6D5FDF6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (See Cherbonnier 1952, Solis-Marin 2003)	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385FD76339E3D981B6D5FDF6.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 31395, West Coast Survey 2011, between the Cape Peninsula and Cape Town, 33 ° 33.67 ' S, 17 ° 25.137 ' E, DemersalTrawl 036 - 5119, Cruise 270, 584 m, 23 / 01 / 2011, Lara Atkinson, 1 spec.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385FD76339E3D981B6D5FDF6.taxon	description	Description. Form subcylindrical, slightly arched dorsally, flattened ventrally. Body wall thick, rough. Live colouration purple, purple to grey in alcohol. Length 250 mm in life, 128 mm in alcohol, preserved mid-body diam. 25 mm. Mouth ventral, anus terminal. Tentacles 20, peltate, encircling mouth with upper semi-circle portion in a single row, lower semi-circle portion in a double row, off-white to yellow in alcohol. Tube feet short, retractile, 1 – 5 mm long, in 2 – 3 longitudinal rows within each ambulacrum, sometimes irregular, distributed in a zigzag formation, from ventral to lateral surface; ambulacra diverge anteriorly but coalesce posteriorly, those of midventral ambulacrum extending to anus but stopping 4 mm short of mouth. Papillae dorsal and dorso-lateral, in five indistinct or zigzag rows, arising from large (1 – 8 mm) wart-like protruberances, long and slender or reduced; some special papillae surround anus dorsally and mouth mid-dorsally and dorso-laterally. Specimen eviscerated, major part of gut and respiratory trees lost. Plates of calcareous ring fragile, weakly fused, notched posteriorly, radial plates larger, more deeply notched posteriorly, irregularly undulate anteriorly, interradial plates with triangular anterior projection. Stone canal short (4 mm), madreporite attached to dorsal mesentery. Polian vesicles two, one large, elongate (11 mm), other much smaller (4 mm). Gonad of long, fine branched tubules. Longitudinal muscles broad. Body wall ossicles comprise tables. Dorsal tables of two types: large (disc diam. 130 – 340 µm), 3 - armed, arms unbranched, with irregular perforated ends; other tables smaller (disc diam. 180 – 330 µm), 3 – 4 armed, arms dichotomously branched, multilocular, sometimes fused to form an almost complete disc. Spire height of dorsal tables 70 – 140 µm), ends bifurcate, with or without terminal hole. Ventral tables identical to those of dorsal surface and also of two sizes: small, 3 – 4 armed, arms unbranched or branched dichotomously with branches sometimes fused to form complete disc (70 – 140 µm), and others large, 3 – 4 armed, with dichotomously branched arms which sometimes fuse but never really form a full disc (150 – 290 µm). Spire of ventral tables 20 – 90 µm). Anal region with no specialised ossicles. Tube feet rods large (330 – 890 µm), straight or curved, spinous, sometimes terminally bifurcate with perforations at one or both ends, sometimes with lateral projections with or without perforations. Papillae ossicles mainly composed of small tables and spinous rods identical to those of tube feet. Tentacle rods of two sizes: small, 110 – 330 µm, spinous, curved, sometimes bifurcate terminally, with or without a hole at one or both ends; and large, 550 – 780 µm, also spinous, with 1 – 4 holes, usually without side projections but with spines at extremities.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385FD76339E3D981B6D5FDF6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known only from the west coast of South Africa, 42 – 584 m.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A9385FD76339E3D981B6D5FDF6.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The specimen in the current collection is almost identical to that described by Cherbonnier (1952) but differs in texture and consistency of body wall from that described by Thandar (2008). Variations in the external and internal features, including ossicles dimensions are tabulated in Table 3. All three samples originate from the west coast of South Africa, at more or less similar depth and are similar with few variations. The current specimen differs from that described by Thandar (2008) in the presence anal papillae, the number of tentacles and Polian vesicles and the arrangement of tube feet but very close to the type described by Cherbonnier (1952). However, contrary to the type and Thandar’s specimen small tables are absent from the dorsal body wall. The discs of the large ventral tables of Cherbonnier’s specimen are noticeably smaller than those reported by Thandar and in the current material, although the spire height appears to be similar. The smaller ventral table discs in the current specimen are also larger than those recorded by both the authors, but the spires of the smaller tables are higher. The tentacle and tube feet rods are variable in size but Cherbonnier did not differentiate between large and small rods. However, ossicle size can vary due to age and individual and local variations. Despite this, the current material is referred to S. viridilimus without any doubt, based on similarities of external and internal features and the resemblance of the ossicles to those of the holotype and Thandar’s (2008) specimens. This species also bears some semblance to the Sub-Antarctic S. challengeri in the appearance of branched cruciform bodies in which the arms also sometimes anastomose forming a complete disc (see Massin 1992). However, in Thandar’s (2008) reexamination of the type of S. challengeri, no small tables with complete discs were observed. There were also no complete discs in cf. S. challengeri described herein. Other differences between these two species include the variation of ossicles found in different body regions, the distribution of tube feet, papillae and the branching of the gonad. Since Thandar’s S. viridilimus differs substantially in the texture and consistency of the body wall it is here doubtfully referred to the synonymy of S. viridilimus.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76239E3DC82B072FC0E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (See Thandar 1987).	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76239E3DC82B072FC0E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 31605, South Coast Survey 2011, off Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay, 34 ° 25 ' S, 22 ° 52 ' E), Demersal Trawl 026 - 3448, Cruise 273, 102 m, 16 / 04 / 2011, Lara Atkinson, 2 spec; A 31610, South Coast Survey 2011, off Plettenberg Bay, 34 ° 9 ' S, 23 ° 24 ' E), Trawl 031 - 2271, Cruise 273, 75 m, 17 / 04 / 2011, Lara Atkinson, 4 spec.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76239E3DC82B072FC0E.taxon	distribution	Distribution (after Thandar 2008). Luderitz (Namibia) to Port Elizabeth (South Africa), 0 – 110 m.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76239E3DC82B072FC0E.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This is a well-known southern African endemic previously much confused with other congenerics but this controversy was cleared up by Cherbonnier (1952) and Thandar (1987). Natasen Moodley (2000), analysed the ossicles of several forms and this was summarised by Thandar (2008). No brood pouches described for the species by Cherbonnier (1952) and Thandar (1991) were observed. A species of some contention is Cucumaria leonina var. africana described by Britten (1910) from Luderitz (Namibia) and assigned to the genus Pseudocnus by Panning (1949). This species, never found again, was erroneously relegated to the synonymy of Pseudocnella insolens by H. L. Clark (1923) and this was reiterated by Deichmann (1948), Cherbonnier (1952) and Thandar (1987, 1991). It is here recommended that Panning’s (1962) re-description of Britten’s species as Pseudocnus dubiosus africanus, presumably from type material, must be upheld until a revision of the genus Pseudocnus, currently in progress, is completed.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76039E3D86CB52BFDF6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (after Selenka 1868, modified herein). Small species, length up to 85 mm, colour in life brown to orange, fading in alcohol. Calcareous ring complex, tubular. Stone canal and Polian vesicle single. Tube feet scattered throughout ventral and dorsal surfaces, sometime conforming to ambulacra. Ossicles only as tube feet end plates.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76039E3D86CB52BFDF6.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. A 31654, South Coast Survey 2011, off Mossel Bay (34 ° 35 ' S, 22 ° 36 ' E), Demersal Trawl 075 - 3428, Cruise 273, 103 m, 03 / 05 / 2011, R. W. Leslie, 1 spec.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76039E3D86CB52BFDF6.taxon	description	Description. Specimen eviscerated, tentacles, calcareous ring and other associated structures lost. Body Ushaped in live state, cylindrical, slightly curved in preserved state with posterior end turned upwards. Skin smooth, of hairy texture due to numerous scattered podia. Mouth dorsal, anus terminal but dorsally directed. Live colouration orange with white speckles, dorsal surface darker. Preserved colour brown to light orange / off-white, darker anteriorly and posteriorly. Tip of anus white. Length 51 mm, width of mid-body 8 mm. Tube feet scattered throughout ventral and dorsal surfaces, but more prominent in ambulacra. Anal teeth absent. Respiratory trees paired, right tree extends entire body length, profusely branched, protruding partly through mouth; left tree much shorter, confined to posterior region. Gonadal tubules (testis) unbranched, mature. Longitudinal muscles flattened or slightly rounded. Retractor muscles arise from longitudinal muscles at more or less the same position. Ossicles absent from body wall, respiratory trees and gonad, only present as tube feet end-plates, better developed ventrally; end-plates simple, irregular with two series of large marginal holes surrounding much smaller central holes without any symmetrical arrangement.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76039E3D86CB52BFDF6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Red Sea,? southern KwaZulu-Natal, south coast of South Africa, off Mossel Bay.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
174487A93842D76039E3D86CB52BFDF6.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The form of the body and end-plates strongly correspond with that of the type illustrated by Selenka (1868). However, unlike Selenka’s specimen, anal teeth are absent. Thandar (1990) described a mature female from off the east coast of South Africa, which he identified as T. venusta despite the absence of the calcareous ring, associated structures, end-plates and anal teeth in his specimen. Thandar supported his claim by stating that, like Ohshimella ehrenbergii, it is possible for Selenka’s Red Red species to extend to the southern African coast. He attributed the absence of end-plates and anal teeth to local variations in widely separated populations. However, the current specimen does demonstrate end-plates in the tube feet. Further, Thandar’s specimen was dark brown with purple tips to the tube feet, unlike the white-speckled orange colour of the present specimen. Perhaps this species has various colour morphs but the colour and presence of end-plates demonstrates that the current specimen represents Selenka’s species than the one described by Thandar which may be another species. Selenka recorded the size of the end-plates as 140 µm, which is much larger than that recorded herein (52 µm). It is here speculated that the size of end-plate may be dependent on the size of the tube-foot and the region from which it was removed. Thandar (1990) synonymised T. venusta with T. okeni Bell, 1884, based on the general absence of ossicles except for tube feet end-plates in both species and the live colouration of T. okeni as described by Rowe and Doty (1977) in their specimen from Guam. Thandar later examined the type of T. okeni at NHMUK and concluded that both species are not identical and hence the synonymy cannot be upheld as the two species differ in form, size, colouration, calcareous ring and form of end-plates. In fact, Rowe and Gates (1995) treat T. okeni as a distinct species and Arumugam (2011) supported this. It is noteworthy that T. venusta possesses deeply incised radial plates whereas T. okeni possesses posteriorly prolonged radial plates. Recently O’Loughlin et al (2012) also rejected the synonymy.	en	Thandar, Ahmed S., Rambaran, Ryan (2015): On some sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from off the south and west coasts of South Africa collected by the South African Environmental and Observation Network (SAEON). Zootaxa 3999 (1): 41-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3999.1.3
