Clypeaster reticulatus ( Linnaeus 1758 )

Yiu, Sam King Fung & Mah, Christopher L., 2024, New Ecological Observations and Occurrence for Asteroidea and Echinoidea in Hong Kong, Zootaxa 5526 (1), pp. 1-69 : 30

Clypeaster reticulatus ( Linnaeus 1758)

FIGURE 20A–C

Comments

No living individuals of this species were observed, but a single cleared test was collected from sandy bottoms from the southern end of Ninepin Islands at 7 m depth. Previous studies found Clypeaster virescens in Hong Kong but did not find Clypeaster reticulatus ( Morton & Morton 1983; Liao & Clark 1995). Clypeaster reticulatus is distinguished by the markedly concave oral surface and the closed petals. Liao & Clark (1995) described this species as a ubiquitous tropical Indo-West Pacific species, very common in southern China and the Gulf of Tonkin between 20– 60 m. Chao (2000) reported this species in 2–5 m depth from Taiwan. This is the first occurrence of this species in Hong Kong.

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 7m.

Outside of Hong Kong, Gulf of Tonkin, Xisha Islands, Hainan Island.

Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea to Hawaii from Taiwan to New Caledonia, 0–125 m.

Figures

FIGURE 20. Clypeaster reticulatus dried test. A. Aboral surface. B. Oral surface. C. Lateral view.