Lydiaster johannae Koehler 1909

Mah, Christopher L., 2018, New genera, species and occurrence records of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) from the Indian Ocean, Zootaxa 4539 (1), pp. 1-116 : 53

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 .

Figures

FIGURE 20. Lydiaster johannae Specimen IE-2013-12128. R=12.5, r=4.6 cm. A. Abactinal surface. Scale bar=3.0 cm. B. Closeup of abactinal plates showing disk-arm transition. Scale bar=0.5 cm. C. Lateral view showing detail on marginal plate surface. Scale bar=0.5. D. Actinal plate surface. Scale bar=3.0 cm. E. Furrow spine, pedicellariae and other adambulacral plate accessories. Scale bar=0.5 cm.