The Holothurian Fauna of Cook Strait, New Zealand
[Introduction]
Diagnosis: Tentacles shield-shaped, numerous (15 to 30, usually 20). Respiratory trees present. Mesentery of the posterior loop of the intestine attached in the right ventral interradius. Retractor muscles wanting: longitudinal muscles present as five double bands.
The aspidochirotes are mostly large forms, very common in tropical regions. Of the three families in this order, one is represented in the Cook Strait region.