Additions to the aspidochirotid, molpadid and apodid holothuroids (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the east coast of southern Africa, with descriptions of new species Author THANDAR, AHMED S. text Zootaxa 2007 2007-03-01 1414 1 1 62 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1414.1.1 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.1414.1.1 1175­5334 5077005 DC93A9BC-D24E-44AD-99AF-79CACCCFB984 Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis ( Selenka, 1867 ) Figure 11 Holothuria (Microthele) maculata Brandt, 1835:54 (junior homonym). Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis Massin, 1999 (synonymy & records before 1999), text-figs. 24–27, fig. 110g & h; Samyn, 2003:58 (synonymy after 1999), pls.23–25. Type Lost. Selenka’s (1867) M. nobilis ( MCZ 819) designated as lectotype by Rowe (in Rowe & Gates 1995 ). Type locality Guam , N.W. Pacific Ocean. Lectotype locality Zanzibar . FIGURE 11. Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis ( Selenka, 1867 ) . SAM–A27933. Kosi Bay, KZN. A. Tables from dorsal body wall; B. buttons from dorsal body wall; C. tables from ventral body wall; D. buttons from ventral body wall; E. plates from ventral podia; F. tentacle rods; G. part of calcareous ring. (A–E scale a; F scale b) Previous southern African record Natal. Material examined SAM-A27933 , Kosi Bay , northern KZN , donated by the Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban, 1 spec. General distribution Indo-West Pacific but not yet reported from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Remarks This species grows to a very large size (up to 600 mm ) and is said to be white or black speckled with white ( Rowe and Doty, 1977 ). The single eviscerated specimen is 245 x 145 mm , black with greyish-white patches dorsally and grey ventrally. The dorsal ( Figure 11A ) and ventral table discs ( Figure 11C ) are respectively 75– 109 µm and 57–86 µm , while the respective buttons are 66–95 µm ( Figure 11B ) and 65–127 µm ( Figure 11D ). The papillae rods measure 136–306 µm , the tubefeet rods and/or plates ( Figure 11E ) 238–386 µm and the tentacle rods ( Figure 11F ) 30–224 µm . Thandar (1984) doubted James and Pearse’s (1969) record of this species from KZN but, according to collectors from the Durban Oceanographic Institute, it is well established in northern KZN , especially on the Sodwana reefs. It has long been known from Zanzibar but has yet to be reported from Mozambique .