Psychropotid holothurians (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Elasipodida) collected at abyssal depths from around the Crozet Plateau in the Southern Indian Ocean

Abstract

Seven species of holothurians of the family Psychropotidae were collected during the cruise D300 of RRS Discovery to Crozet plateau. Three of them, Benthodytes wolffi, Psycheotrephes discoveryi and Psychropotes xenochromata are described as new to science. One species, Benthodytes abyssicola Théel, regarded recently as incertae sedis, is redescribed with designation of a lectotype. Additional notes are provided to descriptions of Psychropotes scotiae (Vaney) known from two specimens and Psychropotes longicauda Théel, the cosmopolitan highly variable species