Description and phylogenetic relationships of a new genus of sea cucumbers from Australia, with two new combinations (Holothuroidea, Stichopodidae)

A new genus of Holothuroidea, Notostichopus, from Australia is described and its phylogenetic relationship examined. The new genus is based on two species within the family Stichopodidae, previously attributed to Stichopus. Notostichopus is characterized by the absence of rosette ossicles and the presence of table ossicles with at most one crossbeam in dorsal body wall. The two species revised here (N. ludwigi and N. ellipes) are distributed in the shallow, tropical, and temperate waters of Australia. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this genus is closely related to the genera Isostichopus and Stichopus but is distinct based on ossicles and phylogenetic analyses. We describe the ossicle assemblages of both species.