278 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 11 



consists of species which have been able to cross Ekman's "barrier," 

 another third is most closely related to the West Indian fauna, and the 

 rest are either endemic or closely related to widespread Indo-Pacific 

 forms. Future explorations may modify these statements somewhat. 

 More species may be found in Hawaii, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico ; 

 some of the species described as special to Hawaii may be withdrawn as 

 synonyms, etc. ; but as a whole the present picture will not be altered 

 much and there seems no great likelihood that many more species will 

 be added to the Panamic fauna. 



ASPIDOGHIROTA 



(from shallow water) 



Key TO THE FAMILIES OF SHALLOW WATER ASPIDOCHIROTA 



Gonads in two tufts. Large forms, often with thickened flanks, 

 cylindrical feet in crowded bands on the ventrum, and large 

 warts on the dorsum. Spicules a crowded to reduced layer of 

 tables and often delicate, C-shaped bodies, or as minute grains. 

 Smooth buttons in some genera. I. Stichopodidae 



Gonads in single tuft. Small to large forms; flanks not thickened. 

 Spicules variously developed, never as delicate, C-shaped 

 bodies. H. Holothuriidae 



I. Stichopodidae 



Diagnosis: Large primitive aspidochirotes, with gonads in two 

 tufts, tentacle ampillae, and well developed respiratory trees. Exterior 

 more or less synallactidlike. Except for one doubtful genus (Asticho- 

 pus), ventral feet large, in more or less crowded bands, dorsal side with 

 papillae, simple or complex, few to many. Large ventral tentacles and 

 terminal anus. Spicules in most genera tables, and in addition either 

 smooth buttons, regular or deformed, delicate rosettes, or C-shaped 

 bodies. In two genera the spicules reduced to minute grains or rods. 



Chiefly restricted to tropical shores, with three genera in colder 

 waters or extending to a depth of several hundred fathoms. 



Type genus: Stichopus Brandt. 



Remarks: In 1922 H. L. Clark subdivided the old genus Sticho- 

 pus, and the four genera he accepted have been more or less recognized. 

 In 1948 a new genus was added by Deichmann, and the division is now 

 completed by the addition of two more genera, of which one is char- 



