Holothuria (Stauropora)

Rowe, 1969

10 species

Tentacles 18-30; pedicels in three distinct rows on the flattened ventral surface, papillae small, irregularly arranged dorsally, a collar of papillae sometimes present around the base of the tentacles; body wall soft, not very thick usually 1 (1-2) mm, body with a flattened sole-like ventral surface, arched dorsally, size small, up to 100 (rarely 125) mm; calcareous ring with radial plates up to three times the length of the interradial plates; spicules consisting of tables with low or moderate or high spire, disc squarish to octagonal with a large centrally placed cruciform hole, and one or more smaller holes alternating with each arm of the central cross giving the disc a very characteristic appearance, the rim smooth or spinose, flat or slightly upturned to give a cup and saucer appearance to the table in lateral view, buttons usually present, rarely totally absent, very variable, oval smooth or rugose, occasionally incomplete or even reduced to small bars with lateral lobes, complete buttons usually with 6 pairs of holes. (Rowe, 1969)