Punkaster, Gale & Jagt, 2021

Gale, Andy S. & Jagt, John W. M., 2021, The fossil record of the family Benthopectinidae (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), a reappraisal, European Journal of Taxonomy 755, pp. 149-190 : 168

Genus Punkaster gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D63466E2-7CA4-4896-BFD2-4D156A280AA8

Type species

Punkaster spinifera gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis

Highly derived form in which the marginal ossicles are very elongated, proximal infero-and superomarginal pairs occasionally fused, and marginals may possess 1–2 large rounded bases for attachment of conical spines. Adambulacrals with deep rounded notch to allow extension of tube feet and very large furrow spines.

Etymology

From the similarity of the marginal spination to the 1980s punk hairdos.

Assigned species

In addition to the type species, P. ruegenensis gen. et sp. nov. (see below).

Remarks

The highly unusual marginal ossicles of this new genus ( Fig. 9E, I–J, M, P ) have been known for over 60 years, but they remained undescribed and it has hitherto not been possible to assign them to any family. The new material includes ambulacral and adambulacral ossicles, which demonstrate a likely affinity with benthopectinids in the elongated, bar-like ambulacral heads and, especially, in the nature of the ambulacral/adambulacral articulation. This is typically benthopectinid, in the abradial position of ada3, the position of padam on a short wing-like process and the presence of ada2 on a steep ridge. The abactinal ossicles are closely similar to parapaxillae of modern benthopectinids. The presence of an abactinal ridge on the ambulacrals of P. spinifera gen. et sp. nov. may indicate that the species possessed longitudinal muscles in the arms. The genus perhaps represents a highly specialised offshoot from the mainline benthopectinids.

Figures

Fig. 9. Punkaster spinifera gen. et sp. nov. (holotype, NHMM JJ 11736). A–D. Subadambulacral or suboral spines. E, I–J, M, P. Marginal ossicles. F–G, S. Abactinal ossicles. H, Q–R. Ambulacrals, in actinal view. K. Circumoral, in actinal view. L, N. Odontophore, in abactinal and actinal views. O. Oral ossicle, in radial view. Provenance: uppermost Maastrichtian, ca 12 m below K/Pg boundary, Kulsti Rende, Stevns Klint, eastern Denmark. Scale bars: A–D = 5 mm; E–S = 1 mm.