Oil a new Ilololhurian from Bermuda. 405 



XXXVI. — Occurrence, of a TTolothnrian nev) to the Fauna of 

 Bermuda. By W. J. CrOZIER. 



[Contributions from the Bermuda Biological Station for 

 Research. — Xo. 61.) 



The Wesf-Tn.Iian affinities of the Bermuclan faana and flora 

 (Biitton, 1912, }). 19.}) have been evident to every student 

 of these regions ; yet, as Pilsbry (1900, p. 494) remarks in 

 considering the Pulinonates, there is "abundant evidence of 

 what we call chance, or the rigorous selective action of an 

 over-sea journey, in the Berrnudian assemblage." Con- 

 tinued collecting is disclosing further additions to the marine 

 population in the shape of species identical with well-known 

 West-Indian forms *. In one such case, wliich is the subject 

 of this note, it seems to me that the addition may legiti- 

 mately be considered as of recent date. 



The pedate Holothurians of Bermuda waters have been 

 collected ever since 1888 by Heilprin, Verrill, Clark (1901), 

 and others. Each of the five species previously reported 

 (Cucumaria punctata, Stiehopus mohii, Holothuria surinam- 

 ensis, H. capdva, and N. rathhuni) is well represented in 

 the West-Indian area. Certain conspicuous Antillean types 

 ' have, however, been lacking in the Bermudan collections ; 

 Actinopyga and several species of Holothuria are in this 

 category f- 



I have had occasion to examine with care several thousand 

 specimens of Stiehopus mobii, Semp. — with which, on super- 

 ficial examination, Actinopyga might conceivably be con- 

 fused, — and have, indeed, given particular attention to Holo- 

 thurians collected at many points in Bermuda. No unusual 

 specimens were observed until July 3, 1916, when there was 

 secured from a depth of about 6 feet beneath low water, in 

 the channel entrance to Hungry Bay (on the exposed soutli 



* Amoug the Enteropiieusta, for example, of wliich an illustrated 

 account is in course of preparation, at least two of the four or more 

 species which I have found occur also in the Bahamas and at Jamaica, 

 as well (probahly) as at other stations in the West Indies. 



t Of the five apodous species found here (Clark, 1907), only two 

 {Chirodota rotifera and Syncqjlida hydriformis) are typically West- 

 Indian, while two others [Leptosynajria inhcerens and L. roseola) are 

 northern forms ; the remaining one (i. acanthia) appears to be peculiar 

 to the Bermudas. 



