Astropecten pugnax (Koehler, 1910): 55, pl. IV, figs 4 and 7

Mortensen 1940, pp 62–63; Clark & Rowe, 1971, p 30, 45; Price 1983, pp 31, 41–42, fig. 9;

Material examined: 14 specimens (ZMSBUK-1671/1 - ZMSBUK-1671/14)

Largest specimen in this study: R: 55mm, r: 12mm.

Description: (Figs. 22–24)

Five or six long arms, quadrangular in cross section, with a relatively small disc (R /r: ~4.5:1). Actinal and abactinal surface flattened; Abactinal surface covered in large paxillae with up to 35 evenly spaced granules towards the centre of the disc, slightly smaller towards the periphery; madreporite inconspicuous, often concealed within paxillae; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates which form a narrow band around the body edge. First most proximal supero-marginal plates with spine arising from the proximal surface, subsequent 4–5 most proximal supero-marginal plates spinless, remaining plates with small spine on abactinal surface towards the peripheral plate edge; infero-marginal plates with single, large pointed primary spine and an unequal series of smaller secondary spines below; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point; colour in live specimens uniformally pale yellowish to pale grayish, no distinctive pattern.

Observations:

Occurs on muddy substrates from 8m to 25m. Recorded in the present study from Hendijan, Genaveh and Bushehr. A single specimen was observed in the subtidal area at low tide at, Bandar Abbas, Strait of Hormuz.

Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910; Mortensen, 1940; Clark & Bowen 1949; Clark & Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983; George 2012); present study. Astropecten pugnax was the first species of asteroid to be described specifically from Persian Gulf material.