Geographic variation of calcareous ossicles and the identification of three species of sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the eastern Pacific Ocean

doi:10.1201/9781003079224-91

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Geographic variation of calcareous ossicles and the identification of three species of sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from the eastern Pacific Ocean

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ABSTRACT

Cucumaria curata Cowles, 1907 and C. pseudocurata Deichmann, 1938 are shown to be distinct species, contrary to Rutherford (1977a). C. curata is confined to Pacific Grove, California. C. pseudocurata is common from California to British Columbia. Morphological evidence is also presented which suggests that C. pseudocurata is synonymous with the northern species, C. vegae Theel, 1886.