Ossicle variation in Antarctic dendrochirote holothurians (Echinodermata)

Abstract

A study of ossicle variation in Cucumariidae coming from the Weddell Sea (antarctica), the specimens ranging from 4 to 70 mm long, confirms that <i>Heterocucumis steineni</i> (Ludwig, 1898), <i>Heterocucumis antarctica</i> (Vaney, 1906) and <i>Heterocucumis godfroyi</i> (Vaney, 1914) represent different stages of a single species: <i>H. steineni</i>. A study of <i>Heterocucumis steineni, H. denticulata</i> (Ekman, 1927) and <i>Staurocucumis liouvillei</i> (Vaney, 1914) shows that the main ossicle change occurs early when specimens are 20 mm long or even less. A review of holothurian ossicle variation is given.