Holothuria (Microthele)

Brandt, 1835

5 species

Tentacles 20; pedicels and papillae indistinguishable, scattered ventrally and dorsally, no apparent collar of papillae around the base of the tentacles; anus usually with 5 calcified anal papillae only, although in smaller specimens (up to 200 mm long) more papillae may be present, and in very large specimens (over 400 mm long) anal papillae may be entirely lacking; body wall very thick usually 5 (5-10) mm; body rather cylindrical, size large, even massive, up to 600 m; calcareous ring massive, with distinctly scalloped anterior margin, radial and interradial plates squarish, the radials being about twice the length of the interradials; spicules consisting of stout, well developed tables with smooth squarish disc, spire of moderate height, terminating in many small spines, buttons usually always hollow fenestrated ellipsoids though a few simple knobbed buttons may be present. Not Microthele, Deichmann, 1958; now Holothuria (Platyperona), Rowe, 1969. (Rowe, 1969)