Ellipinion delagei

Ellipinion delagei (Hérouard, 1896) Reports for the Azores:

Scotoplanes delagei $ Hérouard, 1896: 167–168, fig. 3, 1902: 39–40, pl. 6, figs. 1–3, pl. 8, figs. 8–9; Perrier 1902: 276;

Ellipinion (Scotoplanes) delagei (Hérouard, 1896) — $ Hérouard 1923: 90–91;

Ellipinion Delagei (Hérouard, 1896) — Mortensen 1927a: 368, figs. 218.4–5; Deichmann 1930: 133; $ Hansen 1975: 163; Harvey et al. 1988: 185–186; García-Diez et al. 2005: 51.

Type locality: Azores (37°42’40”N, 25°05’15”W).

See: Hérouard (1902); Rogacheva et al. (2013: 601, figs. 7F–N, 19K).

Distribution North Atlantic, from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone; Rogacheva et al. 2012) to the Azores (Hérouard 1902), east to the Rockall Trough (Harvey et al. 1988), south to Cape Verde (Hérouard 1923) and west to the Bahamas (Pawson 1982).

Depth: 1,165–2,750 m (Rogacheva et al. 2013); AZO: 1,165–1,494 m (Hérouard 1902).

Habitat: frequent swimmer (benthopelagic; Rogacheva et al. 2012); on soft substrates (Hérouard 1902).

Remarks: Ellipinion delagei was first described by Hérouard (1896, 1902; as Scotoplanes delagei) based on material collected by Princesse Alice in the Azores. Later, Hérouard (1923) identified further material belonging to E. delagei collected by Hirondelle in Azorean waters (sta 3293: 38°47’N, 30°16’W, 1,331 m). Hansen (1975) re-analysed the type material in a review of the deep-water holothurians. Aside from the specimens collected by the historical cruises, no further individuals are known from the Azores Archipelago. Rogacheva et al. (2012), the first to observe this deposit feeder swimming above the sea floor, classified this species as a frequent swimmer, spending most of its time feeding on the sea floor (see above remarks under Amperima furcata).