Table 3 in Understanding the color variability and resolving taxonomic confusion in the sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea): a revision of the genus Isostichopus

Table 3 (continued on next page). Characters distinguishing species and subspecies of Isostichopus Deichmann, 1958.
CharactersI. badionotusI. maculatus maculatusI. maculatus phoeniusI. fuscusI. macroparenthesesBody colorHighly variable, four main patterns (Figs 1A–J, 8): 1) Chips (CH); 2) Uniform (U); 3) Reticulated (R); 4) Black and yellow (BY).Highly variable, four main patterns (Figs 1Z–H’, 14): 1) Uniform (U); 2) Dark and white (DW); 3) Light and sharp dark (LSD); 4) Dark green and light papillae (DGL).Highly variable, four main patterns (Figs 1K–Y, 17–18): 1) Uniform (U); 2) Dark and white (DW); 3) Light and sharp dark (LSD); 4) Light and blurry dark (LBD).Highly variable, four main patterns (Figs 1I’–O’, 21): 1) Chocolate brown uniform (BU); 2) Chocolate brown and stains (BS); 3) Chocolate brown and reddish (BR); 4) Reticulated pattern (R).Not variable, dorsal side light yellow-brown in the background, with irregularly arranged blurred big and small spots in a darker brown color (Figs 1P’–Q’, 22, 24).Small dark spots surrounded by a clear halo and a dark thin line on white blotches or on the backgroundAbsentAbsentPresentAbsentAbsentWhitish spot-like granulesAbsentPresentAbsentAbsentAbsentSpiral lines on dorsal and lateral papillaeAbsentSometimes presentPresentAbsentAbsentBody wall appearance in live specimensOpaque/SmoothOpaque/SmoothSemi translucent/RugoseOpaque/SmoothSemi translucent/SmoothC–shaped ossicles52–130 (x = 80) µm54–90 µm (x = 69) µm45–98 (x = 71) µm60–109 (x = 81) µm91–155 (x = 113) µmTables in dorsal papillaeRegular Isostichopus tables, discs fully developed (Figs 2A, 7A)1) Regular Isostichopus tables, discs fully developed (Figs 2A–B, 13A) 2) Modified maculatus tables (Figs 2D, 13A)Regular Isostichopus tables, discs fully developed (Figs 2A, 16A)Regular Isostichopus tables, discs fully developed (Figs 2A, 20A)Regular Isostichopus tables, discs fully developed in small and medium size specimens; discs completely reduced in large specimens (Figs 2C, 23A)Table height in dorsal papillae1) 33–70 (x = 52) µm Juveniles: 33–41 (x = 37) µm1) 58–86 (x = 71) µm 2) 60–108 (x = 86) µm1) 31–78 (x = 52) µm Juveniles: 31–46 (x = 38) µm1) 34–65 (x =50) µm Juveniles: 34–46 (x = 41) µm1) 29–38 (x =34) µm Juveniles: 31–48 µm (x = 40) µmTable disc diameter in dorsal papillae1) 39–81 (x = 58) µm1) 62–95 (x = 80) µm 2) 66–141 (x = 106) µm1) 39–84 (x = 64) µm1) 42–95 (x = 63) µm1) 17–27 (x = 23) µm Juveniles: 24–77 (x = 48) µmWorm–like rods in dorsal papillaeAbsentSometimes presentPresentAbsentAbsentTables in mouth membrane (Fig. 11)Large tables, usually tall spireLarge tables, low spire usually incompleteLarge tables, usually flat spireLarge tables, some specimens without tablesLarge tables, tall spire, sometimes incompleteTridimensional spheres and straight/spiky rods in the Respiratory tree (Fig. 23F)AbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentPresentLarge tables with a circular spire well developed in the cloaca (Figs 11D, 19C, 20F).AbsentAbsentAbsentPresentAbsentHabitat (Individuals>13 cmMuddy, sandy, rocky, or mixedRocky, sandy and mixed bottom.Rocky bottoms associated withRocky or mixed bottoms.Rocky bottom, in the backlong)bottoms and seagrass bedslive corals, sponges, rubble, or rocksreef, reef crest, and fore reef.Behavior (during day)ExposedExposed?Hidden, although exposed for short timesSemi–exposed or exposedHidden? under or among rocksAbundanceAbundant at some localitiesAbundant at some localitiesAbundant at some localitiesAbundant at some localitiesNot commonDistribution (Fig. 5)West Atlantic, from North Carolina to Brazil, including Bermuda and the AntillesEast and Mid Atlantic: Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gabon, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, and Ascension islandWest Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean SeaEast Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru, including Isla del Coco, Malpelo, Galapagos, Lobos de Afuera Islands.West Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, confirmed in only a few localities