Paralophaster godfroyi ( Koehler 1912a )

Mah, Christopher L., 2023, New Genera, Species, and observations on the biology of Antarctic Valvatida (Asteroidea), Zootaxa 5310 (1), pp. 1-88 : 64-66

Paralophaster godfroyi ( Koehler 1912a)

FIGURE 21A–F

Solaster godfroyi Koehler, 1912a: 50 ; 1912b: 154.

Solaster asperatus Koehler 1920: 157 .

Paralophaster godfroyi Fisher 1940: 175 ; A.M. Clark 1962: 50.

Paralophaster asperatus Fisher 1940: 175 , 177.

Paralophaster godefroyi asperatus A. M. Clark 1962: 53 ; 1997: 190.

Diagnosis

Body stellate (R/r=2.3–4.1) Fig. 21A ). Abactinal paxillar spinelets, 4 to 10 these ending in a single point ( Fig. 21B ). Abactinal paxillae pedunculate, spinelets equal to or of greater than pedicle column height. Superomarginal plates evident, these paxillae shorter (25% of inferomarginal height) and smaller but articulated on base of inferomarginal paxillae which is four times as thick with broad, wide base, appearing to be intercalated between the larger inferomarginal plates. Inferomarginals 15 at R=2.5 to 23 at R= 3.6 cm ( Fig. 21C, E ). Furrow spines, mostly 3, then 2 distally in palmate fans, each cluster of furrow spines arranged in parallel along tube foot groove ( Fig. 21D, F ). Subambulacral spines, 3 to 6, mostly 4 to 5 in transverse series ( Fig. 21F ). Subambulacral spines without serrations. Actinal plates, 4–10, slender, elongate. Adambulacral plates widely separated by tissue.

Comments

Variation in Paralophaster godfroyi has been addressed by Fisher (1940) and by A.M. Clark (1962) who comprehensively reviewed specimens of P. godfroyi and synonymized Paralophaster godfroyi meseres Fisher, 1940 with Paralophaster godfroyi asperatus ( Koehler, 1920) . She outlines in the diagnostic key that the distinction between P. godfroyi asperatus and typological godfroyi is based on whether small sized individuals (R<20 mm) show spines with one to many additional lateral points or serrations. Comparison of spine types from Koehler (1920) and especially diagrams by A.M. Clark (1962) suggest that the variation of serrations along the lateral spine edge encompasses both subspecies, including godfroyi and asperatus . The synonymy of Paralophaster godfroyi asperatus implies that spines of the type species from Koehler (1920) are not identical with those as recognized by Koehler (1912a). This is inconsistent with Koehler (1912a) which lacks diagrams and descriptions of the serrations on these spinelets. A.M. Clark (1962) shows a full range of spinelet types, those with serrations and those without, which encompasses the variation documented by Koehler (1920) for Solaster asperatus and Solaster godfroyi . Thus, Solaster asperatus is a synonym of Solaster (and thus Paralophaster ) godfroyi .

Occurrence

Antarctic Peninsula region, Off Queen Mary Land, Bellinghausen Sea, Enderby Land eastwards to 178.5 W in the Ross Sea. 70– 2450 m.

Material Examined

USNM E13472 , Between Wiencke Island and Danco Coast , Gerlache Strait, −64.8417, −63.25, 283 m. Coll. R/V Eastwind (D.F. Squires & D.L. Pawson), 29 Jan. 1966. 1 dry spec. R=7.5 r=2.0.

USNM E51734 , South of Lavoisier Island, Biscoe Islands , Antarctic Peninsula . −66.3567, −66.7725, 70–106 m. Coll. R/V Hero , USAP, 1 March 1973. 1 dry spec. R=5.3 r=1.5 (with comatulid crinoid ossicles in gut cavity).

USNM E53510 , Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island , Palmer Archipelago , Antarctic Peninsula . −64.789, −64.1162, 90–110 m. Coll. R/V Hero , USAP, 20 Feb. 1973. 1 dry spec. R=2.9 r=1.3.

USNM 1136593 , Tierra del Fuego, Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, −52.508, −67.233, 82 m. Coll. USAP, University of Southern California, 14 Feb. 1964. 1 dry spec. R=4.1 r=1.5.

USNM 1570993 , West of Franklin Island, Ross Sea , Southern Ocean . −76.525, 174.933, 445–448 m. Coll. R/V Eltanin, USAP, 20 Jan. 1967. 2 dry specs. R=4.3 r=1.0, R=4.2 r=1.0.

Figures

FIGURE 21. Paralophaster godfroyi USNM 1570993. A. Abactinal surface. Scale bar: 5.0 mm. A.1. Madreporite. B. Closeup of abactinal paxillae. C. Closeup of marginal paxillae. D. Closeup of oral region and adjacent furrow spination. E. Actinal surface. F. Closeup of furrow spination.