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The Bathyal Holothurians of the New Zealand Region
Family Elpidiidae Theel, 1882
Family Elpidiidae Theel, 1882
Diagnosis: Tentacles 10, rarely 11 to 12 or 20. Midventral radius naked. Lateral ventral radii each with a single row of pedicels, which may be distributed throughout radius, or confined to posterior half or posterior extremity. Dorsally, a smaller number of long, short or rudimentary processes, more common anteriorly, where they may form a branched or unbranched lobe-like appendage. Calcareous deposits most commonly include straight or slightly curved, C-shaped or horseshoe shaped rods, three-armed spicules; rarely minute net-like plates, rosette-shaped or elliptical bodies. (After Theel, 1882.)
Remarks: This is a large family, containing a dozen nominal genera. The distribution is cosmopolitan in all depths below about 500 metres. Representatives are more common in the Northern Hemisphere.
Two genera are now known to be present in the New Zealand region (Pawson, 1964a). They may be distinguished as follows:
| 1 (2) Lateral ventral radii with pedicels distributed along their entire length | Scotoplanes Theel |
| 2 (1) Pedicels of the lateral ventral radii confined to the posterior half of each radius | Amperima Pawson |
Amperima Pawson, 1965
Diagnosis: Body slightly elongate or egg-shaped, at most two and a half times as long as broad; tentacles ten. Anteriorly, dorsal side carries a transverse row of 3–4 papillae, sometimes discrete, sometimes adjoining, sometimes fused into a voluminous transverse four-lobed process. Immediately posterior to papillae a small number of isolated very small papillae present on radii. Ventral radii each with a row of pedicels, usually restricted to posterior half of each radius. Deposits triradiate bodies, together with sigmas. (After Perrier, 1901 in Deichmann, 1930.)
Type Species: Periamma roseum Perrier.
Remarks : This genus was formerly known as Periamma Perrier, but the generic name was preoccupied. The new name Amperima was given elsewhere (Pawson, 1965a). Amperima is cosmopolitan and contains seven species, five of which are known from the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Madsen (1958) notes that most species can be found below about 3,000 metres.
Amperima tui Pawson
Amperima tui Pawson, 1965a, p. 216, Pl. IV, figs. 1–3.
Material Examined: "Tui" Stn. 098–111, 14 specimens; Stn. 098–46, 2 specimens.
Remarks: The species has already been described and discussed elsewhere (Pawson, 1965a).
Scotoplanes Theel, 1882
Diagnosis : Body elongate to ovate. Tentacles ten. Dorsal surface of body with a small number of processes, restricted to anterior end of body or present anteriorly and posteriorly. Ventrolateral pedicels present in small numbers throughout radii. Midventral radius naked. Deposits include C-shaped spicules, unbranched rods, and three-armed spicules, of which the last two types may be spinous.
Type Species: Scotoplanes globosa Theel.
Remarks: This genus embraces seven species, and is known from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, from 500 metres to depths of approximately 10,000 metres.
Scotoplanes gilpinbrowni Pawson
Scotoplanes gilpinbrowni Pawson, 1965a, p. 217, Pl. IV, figs. 4–6.
Material Examined: "Tui" Stn. 003–02, 1 specimen.
Remarks: The species has already been described and discussed elsewhere (Pawson, 1965a).