First record of the synaptid holothurian Protankyra bidentata (Woodward & Barrett, 1858) from the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Sea cucumbers (holothurians) are marine invertebrates that are harvested worldwide, mostly for human consumption in Asian countries. To date, only eight species of synaptid holothurians of the genus Protankyra have been reported from the Indian Ocean. The present report forms the first record of Protankyra bidentata (Woodward & Barrett, 1858) from Indian waters. The specimen recorded was small measuring 42 mm in length, cylindrical in shape with microscopic ossicles scattered throughout the skin. The size and shape of calcareous ossicles are very specific and found similar to previous reports of P. bidentata