No Name, No Game

In an interesting contribution Joppa et al. (2011) revisit some aspects of the taxonomic impediment (Evenhuis 2007; http://www.cbd.int/gti/) and come to the conclusion that, contrary to the generally accepted idea, both the rates of species description and the number of taxonomists have increased exponentially since the 1950’s. Joppa et al. (2011) also note a marked decline in the number of species described per taxonomist which they attribute to the difficulty of finding new species in an ever declining ‘missing species pool’. Therefore, their results might be interpreted that today’s taxonomic workforce is sufficient to describe the remaining (shallow) ‘pool of missing species’. In this contribution, we question if this is indeed the case and propose a solution for speeding up taxonomic descriptions

The sea cucumber Holothuria lineata Ludwig, 1875 (Holothuroidea, Aspidochirotida, Holothuriidae) re-described from the newly found type

A re-description of the little-known holothurian species Holothuria (Lessonothuria) lineata Ludwig, 1875 is given. It is based on the single recovered type specimen and an individual recently collected on Glorioso Islands, near Madagascar. A key to separate three closely related and commonly confused species, i.e., Holothuria (Lessonothuria) pardalis Selenka, 1867, Holothuria (Lessenothuria) verrucosa Selenka, 1867 and Holothuria (Lessonothuria) insignis Ludwig, 1875, is presented

Four notable additions to the South African echinoid fauna (Echinodermata, Echinoidea)

Although a comprehensive guide to the South African echinoid fauna was published as recently as 2017, four notable additions to the fauna have emerged since that time and are reported on here. The first South African records for Histocidaris purpurata (Thomson, 1872), Echinothrix diadema (Linnaeus, 1758), Microcyphus rousseaui L. Agassiz, in Agassiz and Desor 1846, and Pseudoboletia maculata Troschel, 1869 are presented. All four species have previously been recorded from the Atlantic and/or Indian Oceans and their ranges are thus extended southwards here. These additions increase the total number of echinoid species known from South Africa to 74

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

The littoral sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) of Guam re-assessed – a diversity curve that still does not asymptote

The Micronesian island of Guam has been an important site for the study of littoral tropical holothurian taxonomy for almost 200 years. Despite substantial attention by both expeditions and resident taxonomists, new records are still regularly added to the fauna, demonstrating the challenge of documenting even such large and well-known animals in a small hyper-diverse area. Guam is the type locality of species described by Quoy & Gaimard (1833) and Brandt (1835). A survey of the sea cucumber fauna by Rowe & Doty (1977) led to one of the most used guides for the identification of tropical Pacific sea cucumbers because of the color illustrations of living animals it presented. Focus on echinoderms including holothurians continued with numerous new records added in the following decades. Paulay (2003a) summarized the fauna last, recording 46-47 species. At this stage the fauna was thought to be well documented. A week-long workshop on holothurian systematics sponsored by the National Science Foundation PEET (Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy) project in 2010 included a substantial field work component, sampling both during the day and night, with snorkeling and SCUBA, across a variety of habitats. This survey yielded 40 species, including numerous new records and even species. Further sampling by Kerr’s lab since the workshop has added additional records. The littoral holothuroid fauna of Guam now comprises 65 species in 17 genera and 7 families. Half of the 19 newly recorded species are the result of unravelling cryptic species in complexes, the other half are based on new collections. Eleven species are known from single specimens, suggesting that much still remains to be learned about the fauna

Dr Claude Massin (25/08/1948—04/09/2021), in Memoriam

This contribution provides an overview of the scientific career of the late Dr Claude Massin (1948–2021), listing his scientific activities (academic career, participation to and organization of expeditions and scientific conferences, publications) as well as the taxa he described as new to science and the eponyms that were dedicated to him. The scientific career of Claude Massin is briefly sketched against the background of the personal family-life.&#x0D;  </jats:p

Molpadia africana Ludwig & Heding 1935

&lt;i&gt;Molpadia africana&lt;/i&gt; (Ludwig &amp; Heding, 1935) &lt;p&gt; (Fig. 30 A &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; C)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Trochostoma africanum&lt;/i&gt; Ludwig &amp; Heding, 1935: 142, textfig. 10.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material examined. IE-2007-756&lt;/b&gt; (2 specimens sampled in Mahajamba Bay); &lt;b&gt;IE-2007-781&lt;/b&gt; (1 specimen, sampled in front of Mahajamba Bay)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Remarks&lt;/b&gt;. This specimen fits remarkably well with the only know previous record of this species approximately 10&deg; to the north in the Zanzibar Channel.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Samyn, Yves &amp; Vandenspiegel, Didier, 2016, Sublittoral and bathyal sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the Northern Mozambique Channel with description of six new species, pp. 451-497 in Zootaxa 4196 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on page 490, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/168273"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/168273&lt;/a&gt

Mesothuria parva Theel 1886

&lt;i&gt;Mesothuria parva&lt;/i&gt; (Th&eacute;el, 1886) &lt;p&gt; (Fig. 13 A &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; B)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Holothuria murrayi&lt;/i&gt; var. &lt;i&gt;parva&lt;/i&gt; Th&eacute;el, 1886: 186, pl. 9, fig. 2, pl 16, figs 4 &amp; 5 &lt;i&gt;Mesothuria parva&lt;/i&gt;; Cherbonnier &amp; F&eacute;ral, 1981 (records); Thandar 1992: 161, figs 1 &amp; 6A &lt;i&gt;Mesothuria deani&lt;/i&gt; Mitsikuri, 1912: 40 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 42, textfig. 9&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material examined&lt;/b&gt;. &lt;i&gt;Non-type material&lt;/i&gt;: &lt;b&gt;IE-2007-813&lt;/b&gt; (3 specimens, sampled in front of Nazendry Bay); &lt;b&gt;IE-2007- 775&lt;/b&gt; (3 specimens, collected in front of Nazendry Bay)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Remarks&lt;/b&gt;. This well-known species is a new record for Madagascar. The closest previous record is from Sodwana Bay in South Africa (Thandar, 1992).&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Samyn, Yves &amp; Vandenspiegel, Didier, 2016, Sublittoral and bathyal sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the Northern Mozambique Channel with description of six new species, pp. 451-497 in Zootaxa 4196 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on page 471, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/168273"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/168273&lt;/a&gt

Molpadia lenticulum Cherbonnier & Feral 1981, new comb.

&lt;i&gt;Molpadia lenticulum&lt;/i&gt; (Cherbonnier &amp; F&eacute;ral, 1981) new comb. &lt;p&gt; (Fig. 32 A &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; B)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Trochostoma lenticulum&lt;/i&gt; Cherbonnier &amp; F&eacute;ral, 1981: 405, fig.29 &lt;b&gt;Material examined. IE-2007-778(1)&lt;/b&gt; (1 specimen sampled in front of Majumga)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Remarks&lt;/b&gt;. Pawson (1965, 1967, 1977) lumped &lt;i&gt;Trochostoma&lt;/i&gt; (and eight other genera) with &lt;i&gt;Molpadia&lt;/i&gt;. As long as no complete revision of the group is carried out, we follow this decision. The holotype and paratype of this species were sampled at 750 m depth in the Philippines. The present record is thus a significant horizontal and vertical (950 m depth) range extension.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Samyn, Yves &amp; Vandenspiegel, Didier, 2016, Sublittoral and bathyal sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the Northern Mozambique Channel with description of six new species, pp. 451-497 in Zootaxa 4196 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 490-491, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/168273"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/168273&lt;/a&gt

Holothuria (Metriatyla) alex Samyn, sp.nov.

&lt;i&gt;Holothuria (Metriatyla) alex&lt;/i&gt; Samyn sp.nov. &lt;p&gt; (Fig. 4 A &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; F)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material examined.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Type material&lt;/i&gt;: &lt;b&gt;IE-2007-779&lt;/b&gt; (holotype, sampled in front Mahajamba Bay)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Comparative material examined. ZMB Ech 1681&lt;/b&gt; (holotype of &lt;i&gt;Holothuria (Metriatyla) martensii;&lt;/i&gt; Semper, 1868 (Fig. 5); Ambon, Indonesia, leg. V. Martens, unknown depth); &lt;b&gt;MNHN EchHh 3894&lt;/b&gt; (&lt;i&gt;Holothuria (Metriatyla) horrida&lt;/i&gt; Massin, 1987, erroneously identified as &lt;i&gt;H. martensii&lt;/i&gt; Semper, 1868, Tul&eacute;ar, Mahavatsy, Madagascar, coll. Thomassin, 15.IX.1962, unknown depth); &lt;b&gt;MNHN EchHh 3906&lt;/b&gt; (&lt;i&gt;Holothuria (Metriatyla) horrida&lt;/i&gt; Massin, 1997, erroneously identified as &lt;i&gt;H. martensii&lt;/i&gt; Semper, 1868, Tul&eacute;ar, devant labo, st. 450, Madagascar, coll. Thomassin, 23.IX.1962, unknown depth); &lt;b&gt;MNHN EchHh 7030&lt;/b&gt; (&lt;i&gt;Bohadschia vitiensis&lt;/i&gt; (Semper, 1868), erroneously identified as &lt;i&gt;H. martensii&lt;/i&gt; Semper, 1868, Antsirane, Madagascar, coll. Decary, 1919, unknown depth).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Type locality&lt;/b&gt;. Madagascar, Mahajamba Bay, Station CP 3218 (Decimal coordinates: -14.97; 46.94)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology&lt;/b&gt;. This very handsome species is named after Alex Samyn, first daughter of Reen Tallon and Yves Samyn, in recognition of her support, when her dad is writing up his taxonomic work at home. The species epithet has been put in apposition.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Known geographical distribution&lt;/b&gt;. For now only known from the type locality.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Taxonomic description (holotype)&lt;/b&gt;. &lt;i&gt;External anatomy&lt;/i&gt; &mdash; 55 mm long and 24 mm wide at mid body, tapering acutely posteriorly. Trivium flat, separated from more convex bivium by fringe of well-developed lateral papillae (fig. 4A,B). Mouth ventral, surrounded by collar of reduced papillae, especially ventrally. Number of tentacles could not be determined due to contraction. Anus terminal, unguarded by papillae. Color in alcohol: bivium dark beige with some darker spots forming more or less two transversal lines with beige, evenly spread, papillae; trivium brown, with evenly scattered beige tube feet.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Internal anatomy&lt;/i&gt;: specimen partly eviscerated, leaving only part of the gut, the right respiratory tree and the oral structures. Calcareous ring narrow. Single short stone canal, 4 mm long, ending in spherical madreporite. Polian vesicles not observed. Gonad not observed. Gut filled with very fine mud. Longitudinal muscles very flat, bifid, only 3 mm wide. Cuvierian tubules not observed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Ossicles&lt;/i&gt;: Tentacles with spiny rods, occasionally with some perforations, 110 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 480 &micro;m long (fig. 4C). Ventral and dorsal body wall with tables, buttons and few fenestrated ellipsoids. Tables with disc on average 60 &micro;m across, perforated by irregularly distributed central holes and 14 to 16 peripheral holes, rim of the disc undulating, edge smooth to spiny, spire low (1 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 2 cross beams) with four pillars (30 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 38&micro;m high) ending in simple spiny crown (fig. 4D). Buttons very wide (31 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 48 &micro;m wide and &micro;m 50 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 68 long), smooth to knobbed with a central bridge (fig. 4D). Dorsal papillae with tables, plates and numerous ellipsoids (36 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 50&micro;m wide, 45 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 53&micro;m long); plates flat or tridimensional (123 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 185&micro;m long,), tables similar to those of the body wall with a few tables with a higher spire (43 &lt;b&gt;&ndash;&lt;/b&gt; 72&micro;m, up to five cross beams, fig. 4F). Lateral papillae with numerous fenestrated ellipsoids in addition to plates and tables similar to those of the dorsal papillae (fig. 4E). Longitudinal muscles and cloaca devoid of ossicles.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Remarks.&lt;/b&gt; It is with some doubt that we assigned this species to the subgenus &lt;i&gt;Metriatyla&lt;/i&gt; as its ossicle assemblage does not completely fit with the diagnosis of the subgenus. &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; differs from the other species in &lt;i&gt;Metriatyla&lt;/i&gt; in having tables with discs that, when the spire is low, are turned upwards and are nodulous. &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt; also presents fenestrated ellipsoids, whereas no other species in &lt;i&gt;Metriatyla&lt;/i&gt; does so.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; In terms of external morphology &lt;i&gt;H. (M.) alex&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; is close to &lt;i&gt;H. (M.) kurti&lt;/i&gt; Ludwig, 1891 (see below for description). &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt; can however easily be separated from that species because it lacks the &lsquo;spatulate&rsquo; tables that characterize &lt;i&gt;H. kurti&lt;/i&gt; (cf fig. 7C) and because of its very characteristic ellipsoids (fig. 4 E,F) and wide buttons (fig. 4D) which are absent in &lt;i&gt;H. kurti&lt;/i&gt;..&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; At a first glance one could also think that &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; is just a juvenile form of the species described as &lt;i&gt;H. ocellata&lt;/i&gt; (Jaeger, 1833) by Teo &amp; Ng (2009). However, the coloration pattern (papillae surrounded by a dark ring in &lt;i&gt;H. ocellata&lt;/i&gt; (sensu Teo &amp; Ng 2009) which is not the case in &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt;), the form of the lateral rim of papillae (fused papillae in &lt;i&gt;H. ocellata&lt;/i&gt; (&lt;i&gt;sensu&lt;/i&gt; Teo &amp; Ng 2009), not so in &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt;), and especially the ossicle assemblage (tack-like tables present in &lt;i&gt;H. ocellata&lt;/i&gt; (&lt;i&gt;sensu&lt;/i&gt; Teo &amp; Ng, 2009), absent in &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt;) is significantly different.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; also resembles &lt;i&gt;H. martensii&lt;/i&gt; Semper, 1868 in presenting tables with reduced disc and with tall, smooth spires. We studied the ossicle assemblage of the holotype of &lt;i&gt;H. martensii&lt;/i&gt; (fig.5) and of three specimens from Madagascar which Cherbonnier (1988) identified as &lt;i&gt;H. martensii.&lt;/i&gt; We came to the conclusion that &lt;i&gt;H. alex&lt;/i&gt; is markedly different because it presents fenestrated spheres, tables with an upward turned disc and wide buttons. Of the three specimens Cherbonnier (1988) identified as &lt;i&gt;H. martensii&lt;/i&gt;, one turned out to be &lt;i&gt;Bohadschia vitiensis&lt;/i&gt; (Semper, 1868) and two &lt;i&gt;Holothuria (Metriatyla) horrida&lt;/i&gt; Massin, 1987.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Samyn, Yves &amp; Vandenspiegel, Didier, 2016, Sublittoral and bathyal sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the Northern Mozambique Channel with description of six new species, pp. 451-497 in Zootaxa 4196 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 460-462, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/168273"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/168273&lt;/a&gt