Neoferdina momo, Mah, Christopher L., 2017

Mah, Christopher L., 2017, Overview of the Ferdina - like Goniasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) including a new subfamily, three new genera and fourteen new species, Zootaxa 4271 (1), pp. 1-72 : 56-58

Neoferdina momo n. sp.

Figure 19 A–E

Etymology. The species epithet refers to momo , a shortened version of the Japanese word momo-iro, which translates as “pink” in allusion to the pink color of this species. The species epithet is used in apposition.

Occurrence. Madagascar, 90–155 m.

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by the very prominent series of large, bare, strongly convex plates composing a distinct but sometimes discontinuous carinal row along each arm, a strongly convex surface present on each superomarginal and by the arm with triangular cross-section.

Taxonomic notes. Although other bald, convex plates are irregularly and variably present on adradial and other adjacent plates, regular transverse series of plates along the arm, such as those present in Neoferdina offreti were not observed. Superomarginals in this species are strongly convex whereas those in other species of Neoferdina , such as N. offreti display flat surfaces. Neoferdina momo n. sp. also possesses bald patches on the inferomarginals as well as the superomarginals where as N. offreti possesses inferomarginals covered by granules. The bald, convex plates observed on the abactinal surface of Neoferdina offreti are irregularly arranged on the surface whereas those in N. momo n. sp. are largely isolated to the carinal series. Known occurrences of this species are recorded from deeper depths (90–155 m) compared to most other species of Neoferdina which occur on reefs at substantially shallower depths (e.g., N. offreti at 0–66 m).

Description. Body strongly stellate (R/r=1.6–4.7), interradial arcs acute ( Fig. 18 A). Smaller individuals (approximately R= 1.3 cm) show more stellate body form. Arms triangular in cross-section ( Fig. 18 C). Body surface, including abactinal, marginal and actinal surface, (save for bald surfaces indicated below) covered by continuous layer of granules.

Abactinal surface composed of heterogeneously sized convex plates, ranging from weakly (nearly flat) to strongly expressed (dome like) ( Figs 18 A–C). Surface covered by continuous tegument of fine granules (approximately 15 count along a 1.0 mm line on the disk). The granular tegument has a prominent dark brown coloration on disk and between larger plates. Convex disk plates white to light colored. Papulae, four to six, present around most abactinal plates but absent around others. Large abactinal plates on disk and along main carinal series topped by prominent bare, smooth surface as opposed to other smaller adradial, interradial disk and other plates which are covered by continuous granular tegument ( Fig. 18 A–C). Bare, strongly convex carinal plates in regular series but a minority of plates are irregularly interrupted by smaller, weakly convex to flat plates ( Figs 18 B, C). Larger individuals (R= 3.5 cm) possess more alternation between smaller plates and carinal plates. Smallest individuals (R=1.3, MNHN-IE-2007-3986) display large, round primary circlet plates almost completely occupying disk and carinal plates occupying over half of the distance between superomarginals along arm. Carinal plate series extend completely along arm in some individuals but not all. Non-carinal abactinal plates irregularly distributed. Anus flanked by six flattened bare, smooth spines. Madreporite flanked by three plates with weakly developed sulci. Pedicellariae not observed on abactinal surface.

Marginal plates 22–26 in each series, quadrate with rounded edges in outline ( Figs 18 A–C). Paired superomarginals in each interradius nearly triangular in outline. Superomarginal plates strongly convex with prominent, smooth bare region occupying most of every superomarginal plate ( Figs. 18 B, C). Interradial paired superomarginals variably lacking bare regions and covered with granular tegument. Remainder of superomarginal plate covered by fine continuous granular layer. Inferomarginal plates slightly offset from superomarginals. Proximal inferomarginals completely covered by granules but distalmost inferomarginals, variably the two to eight plates from the terminal plate, with prominent smooth, bare spot, extending on most observed individuals to penultimate plate adjacent to terminal. Small nubbin-like spines, one or two, present on bare surface of inferomarginal adjacent to terminal plate. Terminal plate round, smooth with short spinelets.

Actinal surface composed of two complete series with a third, short series of actinal disk plates ( Fig. 18 D, E). Actinal surface completely covered by granules, obscuring boundaries between plates ( Fig. 18 E). Furrow spines, one or two per adambulacral plate. Adambulacral plates with no subambulacral spination or accessories, only covered by continuous granular tegument.

Color in life, yellow to tan with bright pink bare spots on abactinal, marginal regions. Interstitial spaces between abactinal plates dark brown between light tan/gold abactinal plates. Several specimens have retained living color in preservation.

Material examined. Holotype. MNHN-IE-2007-3855; Madagascar, 25°36’S 46°13’E, 133 m .; Coll. N/O Nosy Be 11, CP 3561, ATIMO VATAE expedition 6 May 2010; 1 dry spec. R=2.9, r=1.8. Paratypes: MNHN-IE- 2007-3869; Madagascar, 25°47’S, 46°2’E, 178 m; Coll. N / O Nosy Be 11, CP 3620, ATIMO VATAE expedition 15 May 2010; 2 wet specs. R=4.2, r=1.1; R=2.3, r=1.2; MNHN-IE-2007-3884 ; Madagascar, 25°58.6’S 44°34.9’E, 90 m.; Coll. N / O Nosy Be 11, CP 3580, ATIMO VATAE expedition 9 May 2010; 1 wet spec. R=3.3, r=1.0. MNHN-IE- 2007-3853 ; Madagascar, 25°59’S 44°42’E, 143 m.; Coll. N / O Nosy Be 11, CP 3551, ATIMO VATAE expedition 13 May 2010; 1 wet spec. R=3.8, r=0.8. MNHN-IE-2007-3875 ; Madagascar, 25°45’S 44°29’E, 123 m.; Coll. N / O Nosy Be 11, DW 3599, ATIMO VATAE expedition 12 May 2010; 1 wet spec. R=2.7, r=0.7. MNHN-IE-2007-3902 ; Madagascar, 25°28’S 46°55’E, 155 m ; Coll. N / O Nosy Be II, CP 3543, ATIMO VATAE expedition 3 May 2010; 5 wet specs. R=2.9, r=0.9; R=2.4, r=0.6: R=2.6, r=0.7; R=1.9,r=0.5;R=2.1, r=0.7. MNHN-IE-2007-3986; Off Lokaro and St. Luce , Madagascar, 24°51.9’S 47°28.0’ E, 83 m ; Coll. ATIMO VATAE, N/ O Nosy Be DW 3519; 3 wet specs. R=2.3 r=0.5; R=2.3 r=0.6; R=1.3 r=0.3. MNHN-IE-2007-4039; Near Fort Dauphin , Madagascar, 25°28’S, 46°59’E, 97– 98 m .; Coll. ATIMO VATAE. CP 3511. 29 June 2010; 1 wet spec. R=2.6, r=0.6. MNHN-IE-2007- 3870; Madagascar, 25°54.5’S, 45°33.2’E, 66 m .; Coll. ATIMO VATAE, N/O Nosy Be II, 9 May 2010; 2 wet specs. R=2.2, r=0.4; R=2.0, r=0.5. MNHN-IE-2007-4397; North of Sainte Luce , Madagascar. 24°35.5’S, 47°32.6’E, 80– 86 m, Coll. ATIMO VATAE, R/ V Nosy Be II. 2 May 2010; 1 wet spec. R=2.3 r=0.7. MNHN-IE-2007-3989 ; South of Faux Cap , 26°6.26’S, 45°33.58’E; Coll . ATIMO VATAE, N/ O Nosy B e II 5 May 2010; 1 wet spec. R=1.5 r=0.5. MNHN-IE-2007-3975; Off Lokaro and Ste. Luce, 24°50.4’S, 47°28.4’E, 99–101 m ; Coll. ATIMO VATAE, NO / Nosy Be II 30 April 2010; 2 wet specs. R=2.3 r=0.7; R=2.0 r=0.5. MNHN-IE-2007-3982 ; North of Sainte Luce , Madagascar, 25°35.5’S, 47°32.6’E, 80–86 m; Coll. ATIMO VATAE, N/ O Nosy Be II; 1 wet spec. R=0.9 r=0.2.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Neoferdina longibrachia. CASIZ 218861, Scale Bar = 4.0 mm. A. Abactinal surface. B. A bactinalsuperomarginal surface detail C. Lateral view showing superomarginal and inferomarginal surface and body thickness. D. Abactinal-lateral view showing abactinal and superomarginal detail. E. Actinal surface F. Arm tip showing details along superomarginal plate series.

FIGURE 19. Neoferdina momo n. sp. Holotype, MNHN-IE- 2013 - 3855, Scale Bar = 3.5 mm. A. Abactinal surface. B. Lateral view showing disk and superomarginal details. C. Lateral view showing superomarginal and abactinal plate details. D. Actinal surface. E. Actinal surface showing furrow spine detail.