Pattalus

Selenka, 1868

1 species

Big dendrochirote holothurians with 20 tentacles in two circles (10+10). The calcareous ring is compact without forked tails. The Radialia are very strong and long; on the anterior edge there are two tentacle notches. The interradialia have short basal parts and long anterior teeth that are often partly lost and then concealed in tight tissue. The retractor muscles are split into many (up to 5) pieces. Many Polian vesicles. Pattalus has one to many stone canals. The calcareous bodies are either missing of very little. When present, the calcareous bodies are small, irregular perforated plates. (Heding & Panning, 1954)

Large forms 20 cm or more, with up to 20 large tentacles of almost equal size. Skin thick with numerous tube feet. Calcareous ring with 5 tall rectangular radials, with posterior corners rounded into low protuberances; interradials with a broad low basal part and a long anterior tooth, often concealed in the thick tissue. Dorsally a lone stone canal with small head; Polian vesicles numerous, hanging as a fringe around the ring canal, a few are dichotomously divided. Spicules a few branched rods, feet with large end plate. Color reddish brown with a pigment is dissolved in alcohol; which turns them dull brown. (Panning, 1971?)