Fromia indica ( Perrier, 1869 )

Mah, Christopher L., 2018, New genera, species and occurrence records of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) from the Indian Ocean, Zootaxa 4539 (1), pp. 1-116 : 35-38

Fromia indica ( Perrier, 1869)

Figure 12 A–E

Perrier 1869: 63 [255] (as Scytaster )

Perrier 1875: 177 [441]; Koehler 1910: 140; H.L. Clark 1921: 42; 1938b: 59; Hayashi 1938a: 279; 1938b: 59; 1938c: 207; A.M. Clark 1967: 188; Marsh 1977: 256; Jangoux 1978: 295; 1986: 130. (as Fromia indica )

Bell 1882: 124; H.L. Clark 1921: 41 (as Fromia tumida )

Koehler 1909: 105; H.L. Clark 1921: 41; 1923: 239 (as Fromia andamanensis )

H.L. Clark 1921: 42; 1923: 240; A.H. Clark 1949: 74; A.M. Clark 1967: 189; Clark & Rowe 1971: 62, Branch et al. 2010: 226– 227 (as Fromia elegans )

Hayashi 1938: 428–430 (as Fromia indica forma andamanensis )

Diagnosis. A species of Fromia characterized by granule covered abactinal plates composed of two acutely, differently sized, large and small, abactinal plates ( Fig. 12A, B ). Plates are wide in shape, irregular in outline extending over the arm surface ( Fig. 12B ). Marginal surface covered by continuous, granular cover ( Fig. 12E ). Actinal region small, covered by granules ( Fig. 12C ). Furrow spines two, blunt adjacent to two rows of blunt tipped subambulacral spines each with two spines per row ( Fig. 12D ).

Comments. A.M. Clark (1967) provided a synopsis of synonymies and occurrence for this species. A.M. Clark (1967) and Marsh (1977) remarked on the synonymy of Fromia elegans and F. andamanensis with F. indica by Hayashi (1938a). A full consideration of this issue is beyond the scope of this treatment but based on a cursory examination of the descriptions and specimens I agree with the synonymy of Hayashi (1938a), which is reflected herein.

Although specimens cited herein indicate the first occurrence of this species from Madagascar, Branch et al. (2010) documented Fromia elegans (a synonym) from the east coast of South Africa. Gosliner et al. (1996) identified F. indica from Sodwana Bay, Natal, South Africa.

Occurrence. Southern Japan, Fiji and New Caledonia, Ceylon, Andaman Islands (Bay of Bengal), Sodwana Bay, Natal coast South Africa, Madagascar, 3– 27 m.

Material Examined. IE-2007-5079 Tozer Bank , Madagascar, 25° 12' 45'' S; 44° 8' 31.7976'' E, 10- 14 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE, May 20, 2010. 1 wet spec. R=3.3, r=0.8 . IE-2007-5124 cave, Tozer Bank , Madagascar, 25° 12' 44.8812'' S; 44° 8' 31.9776'' E, 20-22 m, Coll . ATIMO VATAE, TA 22 25 May 2010. 1 wet spec. R=2.8 r=0.7 . IE- 2007-5143 Tozer Bank , Madagascar, 25° 12' 38.0412'' S; 44° 8' 36.906'' E, 13- 27 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE TA 21 , 21 May 2010. 1 wet spec. R=3.3 r=0.9

Figures

FIGURE 12. Fromia indica Specimen IE-2007-5079. R=3.3, r=0.8 cm. A. Abactinal surface. Scale bar=1.0 cm. B. Closeup showing abactinal plates. Scale bar=0.5 cm. C. Actinal surface. Scale bar=1.0 cm. D. Furrow and adambulacral spination. Scale bar=0.2 cm. E. Interradius showing superomarginals and other details. Scale bar=0.5 cm.