Résumé:
In this study, we have revised the systematics of some aspidochirote holothurians of the Algerian
coast, using a part of a database provided by Mezali (2008). The detailed study of the
morphological, anatomical, molecular and endoskeletal data, allowed us to: 1) identify a few
individuals of an invasive species of Atlantic origin [Holothuria (Roweothuria) arguinensis
(Koehler et Vaney, 1906)], already signaled by Mezali et Thandar (2014) ; 2) separate Holothuria
(Roweothuria) poli of other species ; 3) discuss the taxonomic status of Holothuria
(Holothuria) stellati, extensively debated for a long time in the literature and 4) give some
precision on the two morphotypes of Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa (A & B) previously
reported by Mezali (2008). Our study was based on a thorough review of the endoskeleton
(ossicles) of sea cucumbers, studied using modern morphological geometry technics and several
statistics and bioinformatics methods. Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa B whose morphological,
anatomical, endoskeletal and molecular characteristics are totally different from
the classic Holothuria (H.) tubulosa (rated A) already described by Koehler (1921). The statistical
methods (hierarchical clustering and canonical analysis) allowed us to validate this
result. Indeed, the canonical analysis showed highly significant and distinct differences between
the two morphotypes of Holothuria (H.) tubulosa (A and B). This previous result corroborates
with that of the molecular analysis and confirms that those two cryptic species are
well different. A phylogeographic analysis was tackled using some DNA sequences available
in GenBank and Bold.
