Stellasteropsis tuberculiferus Macan 1938

Mah, Christopher L., 2018, New genera, species and occurrence records of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) from the Indian Ocean, Zootaxa 4539 (1), pp. 1-116 : 98

Stellasteropsis tuberculiferus Macan 1938

Figure 36 C

Macan 1938: 398

Diagnosis. A stellate species (R/r= 2.7) with weakly tapering arms which broaden at the base. Abactinal plates strongly convex, Tubercles present on radial and adradial abactinal plates. Lateral face of inferomarginals coarse on central surface, distally with one or two tubercles. Furrow spines five.

Comments. Stellasteropsis tuberculiferus shares closest resemblance with Stellasteropsis colubrinus which display strongly convex marginal plates and slender, elongate arms (R/r>3.0). The more southern occurring Stellasteropsis fouadi , in contrast, lacks tubercles from the abactinal and inferomarginal plates, displays flatter marginal plates, which form a more homogeneous peripheral profile This species has perhaps the closest resemblance to the Eocene Stellasteropsis (ex. Fayoumaster ) pharaonum nov. comb. in that it shares the presence of tubercle or spines on marginal and abactinal plates.

Occurrence: Arabian coast, 38 m.

Figures

FIGURE 36. A. Stellasteropsis pharanonum, abactinal surface. R=4.5, r=1.2 cm. scale bar=0.6 cm. B. Stellasteropsis fouadi, long armed form. C. Stellasteropsis tuberculiferus, BMNH Type 1937.6.18.242. R=4.4, r=1.6 cm. D. Stellasteropsis colubrinus BMNH Type 1937.6.18.241.