Pseudoboletia indiana ( Michelin 1862 )

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 : 25

Pseudoboletia indiana ( Michelin 1862)

FIGURE 15A–D

Comments

This species was distinguished by its relatively short spines and white body color with black patchy markings ( Fig. 15A–B ). Our account follows Liao & Clark (1995) which shows Pseudoboletia maculata synonymized with Pseudoboletia indiana . Although recorded from the Southern China area, this represents the first occurrence of this species in Hong Kong. Specimens were found at Trio Island in a rocky habitat of 7m depth. This was among several urchins from southern and middle Japan reviewed by Saitoh et al. (2019).

Many of the individuals observed displayed “covering behavior”, carrying coarse pebbles and shells ( Fig. 15A, B ), which is consistent with data that this species prefers calcareous rubble as protective “coverage” against UV radiation ( Barrett et al. 2019).

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 7 m.

Outside Hong Kong, Southern China Xisha Island , throughout the Indo-Pacific to Madagascar, 0– 100 m.

Figures

FIGURE 15. Pseudoboletia indiana A–B. In situ observation showing color variation and collector’s behavior. C. Aboral view. D. Oral view. Photographer: Sam King Fung Yiu.