Holothuria (Semperothuria) roseomaculata n. sp. (Aspidochirotida: Holothuriidae), a coral-reef inhabiting sea cucumber from the western Pacific Ocean.
Holothuria (Semperothuria) roseomaculata n. sp. is described from the main islands of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. The ossicles are similar to those of its sister species, the sympatric H. (S.) flavomaculata Semper, 1868, but the new species is easily recognised, both in the field and among preserved specimens, by its much larger, rose-coloured dorsal papillae that fade to white in alcohol. Holothuria (S.) roseomaculata n. sp. appears to be an endemic of the tropical westernmost Pacific Ocean; it has been recorded from Okinawa to New Caledonia.
The Matine Laboratory, University of Guam, Mangilao GU 96923 USA. alexander.kerr@aya.yale.edu
Alexander M
AM
Kerr
D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D057894:Coral Reefs; D017753:Ecosystem; D009929:Organ Size; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D012616:Sea Cucumbers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development