01991nas a2200169   4500008004100000022002500041245023100066210006900297260001600366300001200382490000900394520130500403100001601708700001901724700002901743856004901772       2021                        eng d  a1313-2970, 1313-298900aExploring the use of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in the taxonomy of sea cucumbers: a case-study on the gravel sea cucumber <i>Neopentadactyla mixta</i> (Östergren, 1898) (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea, Phyllophoridae)0 aExploring the use of microcomputed tomography microCT in the tax  cAug-04-2021  a173-1840 v10543 a<p><jats p="">Sea cucumber taxonomy and systematics has in the past heavily relied on gross external and internal anatomy, ossicle assemblage in different tissues, and molecular characterisation, with coloration, habitat, and geographical and bathymethric distribution also considered important parameters. In the present paper, we made these observations and techniques in detail and complemented them with the novel technique of micro-computed tomography of the calcareous ring. We investigated a single European species, the so-called gravel sea cucumber, <jats italic="">Neopentadactyla mixta</jats> (&Ouml;stergren, 1898), using recently collected material from the Chausey Islands, Normandy, France. We redescribed the species, illustrated its ossicle assemblage through scanning electron microscopy, and visualised the calcareous ring through stacking photography and through micro-CT scanning. Additionally, a DNA fragment of 955 base pairs of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was sequenced from one specimen, which showed a high similarity with the only sequence of <jats italic="">N. mixta</jats> publicly available. We completed this integrative study by providing a detailed distribution of the occurrence of <jats italic="">N. mixta</jats> based on published, verifiable accounts.</jats></p>
1 aSamyn, Yves1 aSonet, Gontran1 ad'Acoz, Cedric, d'Udekem  uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1054.67088