Lydiaster johannae Koehler 1909

Figure 20 A–E

Koehler 1909: 91, pls III, fig. 9; VIII, figs, 1,2; VIII, fig.1; Mah 2006: 924. (as Lydiaster)

Halpern 1970a: 265; 1970b: 173; A.M. Clark 1993: 251 (as Circeaster johannae)

Diagnosis. Body stellate (R/r> 2.7) (Fig. 20A, D). Abactinal arm plates similar in size to those on disk (Fig. 20B). Granules two to five, and paddle-like pedicellariae with sharp teeth present on disk and arm plates. Abactinal, marginal, actinal surface/peripheral granules, coarse, angular. Marginal plate surface covered with granular spinelets (Fig. 20C). Spinelets more abundant on inferomarginals than on superomarginals. Arms broad, elongate. Actinal plates with one or two of any of the following: enlarged tubercles, paddle-like pedicellariae with sharp teeth, spines with roughened tips (Fig. 20E). Actinal granules angular, coarse with roughened tips. Furrow spines six to seven, angular in cross-section (Fig. 20E). Enlarged subambulacral spine laterally adjacent to adambulacral paddle-shaped, pedicellariae with sharp teeth. Enlarged subambulacral granules two to five, polygonal in crosssection present abradial to pedicellariae, adjacent to actinal plate region (from Mah 2006).

Comments.The specimen record herein represents a third occurrence of this species since, the first recorded from Madagascar (Mah. 2006). A misprint in Mah (2006) gives incorrect coordinates for the L. johannae specimen (EcAs 11724) specimen listed; correct coordinates are 22°15.7’S 43°1.5’E, indicating that the specimen herein was collected not far from EcAs 11724 and from a similar depth.

Occurrence. Northern Indian Ocean and Madagascar, 700– 810 m.

Specimen Record. IE-2013-12128. Mozambique Channel, west coast of Madagascar, 22°18’S, 43°01’E, 700 m. Coll. R. von Cosel aboard R/ V Mascarene Islands III, CREVETTIERE 1986 Expédition, CH 105. 1 wet spec, R=12.5, r=4.6 .