First report of Paelopatides (Synallactida, Synallactidae) for the SW Atlantic, with description of a new species from the deep-sea off Argentina

Abstract

The present study describes a new species, Paelopatides shumel n. sp., from Argentinian deep-sea waters. This is the first report of the order Synallactida for Argentina, the fifth for southern hemisphere and the deepest report for the Argentinian holothuroid fauna (almost 3000 m). The species has up to 330 mm length, light brown color and around 19 pairs of dorsal appendages. The ventral side has one ventral ambulacra, with two rows of tube feet. Ossicles are present in dorsal appendages, tube feet, tentacles and body wall near the anus, and are mainly crosses, tables and rods-shaped. The depth at which P. shumel n. sp. has been found is occupied by the North Atlantic Deep Water current. This association with North Atlantic waters could be related with the occurrence of members of Paelopatides in the North Atlantic.