Indianastra sarasini (deLoriol, 1897)

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 : 40-41

Indianastra sarasini (deLoriol 1897)

(with synonym Asterina orthodon Fisher )

FIGURE 30

Comments

A species characterized by a strongly petaloid shape with flat abactinal plates, carrying a chevron of 10–15 spinelets, actinal plates with a linear series of 3–5 spinelets, 10–12 marginal spines and 5–6 furrow spines. Liao & Clark (1995) describe this species as being a dull green, with a red central patch, edged with yellow and off white on the actinal surface. Some individuals were exceptionally red-salmon colored. Asterina orthodon , as described by Fisher, (1922) is a synonym as per Waters & O’Loughlin (2004). A recent review of this species is summarized in Marsh & Fromont (2020).

Nothing is known regarding its feeding habits or ecology, although it seems likely similar to other small asterinids, such as Aquilonastra , in feeding on debris and microfilm present on the substratum ( Jangoux 1982).

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 6 m.

South China, Japan, Sri-Lanka and Bay of Bengal , coastal northern Australia from Western Australia to the Great Barrier Reef , 0–42 m. (after Marsh & Fromont 2020).

Figures

FIGURE 30. Indianastra sarasini. A. Abactinal view, in situ. B. Actinal view, in situ. C. Specimen abactinal view. D. Specimen view, actinal view. Photographer: Josy Lai.