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Overview of the Ferdina-like Goniasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) including a new subfamily, three new genera and fourteen new species
Abstract
Recent assignment of some goniasterid-like Ophidiasteridae into the Goniasteridae has led to further re-evaluation of other ophidiasterids as possible goniasterids. This led to the discovery of new genera and species supported by a distinctive set of characteristics which support a new subfamily, the Ferdininae, a group originally outlined by Marsh and Price (1991) within the Goniasteridae. The historical Ophidiasteridae is paraphyletic and includes several nominal ophidiasterid genera (e.g., Fromia, Neoferdina, etc.). Newly described material has led to the inclusion of six genera,within this group, of which three, Bathyferdina n. gen., Eosaster n. gen., and Kanakaster n. gen., are newly described. Fourteen new species in five genera are described. This includes Bathyferdina aireyae n. gen., n. sp., Eosaster nadiae n. gen., n. sp., Ferdina mena n. sp., Kanakaster balutensis n. gen., n. sp., Kanakaster convexus n. gen., n. sp., Kanakaster discus n. gen., n. sp., Kanakaster larae n. gen., n. sp., Kanakaster plinthinos n. gen., n. sp., Kanakaster solidus n. gen., n. sp., Neoferdina annae n. sp., Neoferdina antigorum, n. sp., Neoferdina momo, n. sp., Neoferdina oni, n. sp., and Paraferdina plakos, n. sp. Identification keys, synopses, and description of these taxa are included.
... Our phylogenetic tree supports the monophyly of living Asteroidea, rooted against Ophiuroidea. Figure 1 agrees with monophyletic support for several historically recognized groups within the Asteroidea (Mah andFoltz 2011a, 2011b;Linchangco et al. 2017), such as the Forcipulatida, Brisingida, Paxillosida, and the Spinulosida. However, Valvatida was paraphyletic, with Linckia laevigata present as the sister clade to the Forcipulatacea (Forcipulatida þ Brisingida), and thus away from other sampled valvatidans (Ceramaster, Archaster, Acanthaster, Patiria, and Aquilonastra). ...
... The Goniasteridae is the most diverse group within the Asteroidea, and has demonstrated important relationships with other members of the Valvatida, such as the Asterodiscididae, the Oreasteridae, and the Ophidiasteridae (e.g. Blake and Portell 2011;Mah 2017). ...
The full mitogenome of an ethanol-preserved museum specimen of Ceramaster japonicus was determined using the NGS Illumina MiSeq platform. The specimen was collected from Tosa Bay, Japan, facing the Pacific Ocean (33.0781 N 134.0601 E), at 700 m depth in 2011. The mitogenome shows a typical metazoan genomic structure, with all of the 37 genes included in its 16,370 base-long mitogenome. We conducted phylogenetic analyses using a data set including 18 publicly available asteroids rooted against five ophiuroids as outgroups. The result confirms the position of C. japonicus in the order Valvatida. The complete mitogenome of C. japonicus reported here is the first reported for the family Goniasteridae Forbes, 1841.
... Remarks. Mah (2017) established Bathyferdina with a de-scription of B. aireyae. Bathyferdina caelator sp. ...
... These characters support placement of the present species in Bathyferdina. Mah (2017) mentioned that Bathyferdina has no glassy bosses on marginal plates in his key of Ferdininae but he also stated that it has glassy bosses on both abactinal and marginal plates. According to Mah (personal communication), B. aireyae in fact has glassy bosses on the abactinal and marginal surfaces but not on the actinal surface. ...
Five species of sea stars of the families Ophidiasteridae and Goniasteridae including two new species, Bathyferdina caelator sp. nov. and Fromia labeosa sp. nov., were collected by dredging from the mesophotic zone of the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Bathyferdina caelator is distinguished from B. aireyae Mah, 2017 by the presence of glassy bosses (crystal bodies) on actinal and adambulacral plates and the absence of them on marginal plates. Fromia labeosa has large, elliptical pedicellariae on the actinal plate and is further distinguished from its congeners based on characters of the abactinal and superomarginal plates, granules, actinal papulae, furrow spines, and the subambulacral spines. We also provide descriptions for three mesophotic species, Fromia eusticha Fisher, 1913, Ogmaster capella (Müller and Troschel, 1842), and Tamaria tenella (Fisher, 1906), which are poorly studied in Japanese waters.
... The Oreasteridae surveyed herein as well as many other asteroid species in the Indo-Pacific region (e.g. Mah, 2017Mah, , 2018Mah, , 2021 are present at much deeper depths than recorded previously (e.g. 0-10 m for P. lincki [Marsh and Fromont, 2020] versus 40 m herein). ...
Mah, C.L. 2023. A new species of Astrosarkus from Western Australia including new Mesophotic occurrences of Indian Ocean Oreasteridae (Valvatida, Asteroidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 82: 143–165. Astrosarkus lu n. sp. (Oreasteridae, Valvatida; Asteroidea) is described in addition to new in situ observations. Further occurrences of Indo-Pacific Oreasteridae are surveyed, with emphasis on distributions in the relatively poorly understood mesophotic zone.
... These scattered findings and the unique oceanographic background together suggested that the region had a potential for more discoveries, and this was what motivated a large-scale exploring expedition, itself called ATIMO VATAE, that sampled the benthos of the region in April-June 2010. The expedition targeted more than molluscs, focussing also on crustaceans, echinoderms, algae and fishes, and generating many new species descriptions (e.g., Monniot 2012, Houart & Héros 2013, Cecalupo & Perugia 2014, Le Gall et al. 2015, Macpherson & Robainas-Barcia 2015, Mah 2017. ...
The cone fauna of southernmost Madagascar is reviewed based on the material collected during the Atimo Vatae expedition. The expedition involved sampling from the intertidal to nearshore by diving to ca 40 m, and offshore by dredging and trawling to 700 m. A total of 75 cone species was sampled. Strikingly, many tropical species are represented in the study area by single specimens whereas these are often quite common elsewhere in the tropical SW Indian Ocean, and it is hypothesized that these represent vagrants of occasionally settling larvae, rather than reproductive, self-recruiting populations. With these limitations, the resident cone fauna of Madagascar “Deep South” probably consists of 58 species, of which 10 (17%) are regional endemics, thus confirming the existence of a distinct marine ecoregion, termed “Toliaran Sub-Province” by Lorenz, which matches the distribution of seasonal upwelling fronts in South Madagascar. New taxonomic decisions in this regional monograph: Conasprella (Fusiconus) lemuriana sp. nov., Conus (Phasmoconus) galeyi sp. nov., Conus (Textilia) cymbioides sp. nov., Conus (Turriconus) aequiquadratus sp. nov. Conus biancae Bozzetti, 2010 and Cylinder priscai Bozzetti, 2012, are synonymized with Conus archiepiscopus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792, and the
latter is treated as a valid species from the Indian Ocean, molecularly distinct species from the Pacific Ocean Conus textile Linnaeus, 1758. Conus fuscatus Born, 1778, is treated as a valid, molecularly distinct species in the Conus imperialis complex. Darioconus fortdauphinensis Bozzetti, 2015 and D. miniturritus Bozzetti, 2017, are synonymized with Conus praelatus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792; Darioconus pennaceus pseudoecho Bozzetti,
2013, is synonymized with C. vezoi Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher, 2000; Conus olgiatti Bozzetti, 2007, C. anosyensis Bozzetti, 2008, and Rolaniconus gilberti Bozzetti, 2012, with C. balteatus G.B. Sowerby I, 1833; Conus nimbosus nanoclarus Bozzetti, 2017, with C. nimbosus Hwass in Bruguière, 1792; Pionoconus atimovatae Bozzetti, 2012, with Conus simonis Bozzetti, 2010; Conus pennasilicorum Bozzetti, 2017, with C. alconnelli da Motta, 1986; Conus sazanka Shikama, 1970, with C. martensi E.A. Smith, 1884; Rolaniconus buniatus Bozzetti, 2013, with Conus varius Linnaeus, 1758; and Conus multibandatus Bozzetti, 2017,
with C. coronatus Gmelin, 1791.
Etymology is a key component in zoological nomenclature, often carrying key information for an organism. Greek and Latin languages have been used for centuries in synthesizing zoological names. However, there are surprisingly few studies about each language’s contribution, which is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings around names’ meaning and origin. This study examined the publications that described 1328 valid Echinodermata genera and presents results for 425 genera where etymology was provided by the authors. The analysis showed that 63.8% of genera names were composed exclusively of Greek elements, 28.0% were hybrid, 6.1% ‘other’, and 2.1% Latin. Language elements used in the formation of names were Greek (68.1%), ‘other’ (17.2%), or Latin (14.7%). The contribution of the Greek elements decreased after 1960, while the presence of hybrid increased. A decrease in the contribution of morphological elements was also observed after 1960, accompanied by an increased use of scientists’ surnames. Etymological analysis has unravelled and addressed long-lasting misconceptions about commonly used terminology. The number of studies where etymology is provided increased after 1960; this practice needs to be sustained as etymological transparency advances zoological knowledge and minimizes the risk for the development of misleading concepts in zoological nomenclature.
Thirteen new records of Goniasteridae showing mesophotic occurrence are presented, including a new species of Pseudoceramaster doto n. sp. from southern Japan and a new genus and species, Churaumiastra hoshi nov. gen. nov. sp. which occurs in southern Japan, the Philippines and Western Australia.
Assessment of Antarctic taxonomic diversity for asteroids and other taxa for poorly studied or unknown regions, such as the deep-sea, will be important for our understanding of these understudied habitats. Eleven new species and a new genus are described from three families (Asterinidae, Goniasteridae, Solasteridae) within the Valvatida, nearly all of which were collected from deep-sea settings below 1000 m by the US Antarctic Research Program in the 1960s. A new subfamily, the Kampylasterinae subfam. nov. is designated for Kampylaster and Astrotholus nov. gen. which were supported as sister taxa on a monophyletic clade within the Asterinidae. Astrotholus nov. gen. is described to accommodate “Anseropoda” antarctica and four new bathyal and abyssal species, which are a significant morphological divergence from the typological definition of Anseropoda. New species of the goniasterid Notioceramus and the solasterid Paralophaster are also described from bathyal depths (2000–3000 m). Paralophaster ferax n. sp. is among the deepest asteroids known to brood, is the first brooding species within Paralophaster and the second species in the Solasteridae known to brood. Following examination of the type and molecular data, Lophaster densus is found to be included within Paralophaster. A review of Antarctic Lophaster species shows additional specimens of Lophaster abbreviatus which support it as a distinct species from Lophaster stellans. New occurrence data for bathyal Antarctic Asteroidea as well as unusual-gut content observations of shallower-water species are also included.
Since its foundation in 1793, type specimens of 441 asteroid species and subspecies have been deposited in the Musum national d'Histoire naturelle of Paris. The annotated catalogue of all these taxa is drawn up including species whose type material could not be found in the collection. Today the Paris museum houses 1011 asteroid type specimens representing 398 nominal species and subspecies, most of which were described by Lamarck (1816), Mller & Troschel (1842), Perrier (between 1869 and 1896) and Koehler (between 1895 and 1923). Though originating worldwide, species coming from the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific Oceans, and Antarctic waters are more numerous. A biographical directory of all those involved either in the descriptions of the species or the collection of new material as well as their dedicatee is annexed to the catalogue. Revision of the Paris collection allows to propose taxonomic changes for two species of Mller & Troschel (Echinaster crassus Mller & Troschel, 1842 and Echinaster gracilis Mller & Troschel, 1842 are synonymized with Echinaster purpureus (Gray, 1840)) and five species of Perrier (Asterias borbonica Perrier, 1875 and Echinaster clouei Perrier, 1869 are synonymized with Echinaster purpureus (Gray, 1840), Oreaster clouei Perrier, 1869 and Oreaster mammosus Perrier, 1869 with Protoreaster lincki (Blainville, 1830) and Ophidiaster chinensis Perrier, 1875 with Ophidiaster granifer Ltken, 1871). Les types d'astries actuelles (chinodermes) du Musum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris. Depuis sa fondation en 1793 le Musum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris a intgr les spcimens types de 441 espces et sous-espces d'astries. Le catalogue comment de tous ces taxons est dress ici, y compris les espces dont le matriel type n'a pu tre retrouv dans la collection. Aujourd'hui le musum de Paris conserve 1011 spcimens types d'astries reprsentant 398 espces et sous-espces nominales. Dcrites principalement par Lamarck (1816), Mller & Troschel (1842), Perrier (entre 1869 et 1896) et Koehler (entre 1895 et 1923), ces astries sont originaires de toutes les mers du globe, mais proviennent majoritairement des ocans Atlantique et Indo-Ouest Pacifique, ainsi que des mers antarctiques. Un rpertoire biographique de toutes les personnes impliques dans la description des espces ou dans la rcolte des spcimens types ainsi qu' leurs ddicataires, accompagne le catalogue en annexe. La rvision de la collection parisienne permet de proposer des changements taxonomiques pour deux espces de Mller & Troschel (Echinaster crassus Mller & Troschel, 1842 et Echinaster gracilis Mller & Troschel, 1842 sont synonymes de Echinaster purpureus (Gray, 1840)) et cinq espces de Perrier (Asterias borbonica Perrier, 1875 et Echinaster clouei Perrier, 1869 sont synonymes d'Echinaster purpureus (Gray, 1840); Oreaster clouei Perrier, 1869 et Oreaster mammosus Perrier, 1869 de Protoreaster lincki (Blainville, 1830); Ophidiaster chinensis Perrier, 1875 d'Ophidiaster granifer Ltken, 1871).
Family-level taxonomic concepts for Paleozoic Asteroidea are problematic; data availability for the family Urasterellidae, however, is judged sufficient for familial reappraisal. The survey cannot be fully comprehensive because certain available names are founded on very limited material, with specimens widely scattered among collections. Recognized urasterellid genera include Urasterella Schuchert, 1914; Anthroosasterias Blake, 2017; Meturaster Blake, Guensburg, and Lefebvre, 2016; Salteraster Stürtz, 1893; Staurasterias Blake, 2017; Ulrichaster Spencer, 1950; and Pegoasterella pompom n. gen. n. sp. Other available generic names are held in abeyance. The name Urasterella has approached form-genus status, an outcome exacerbated by incomplete understanding of the type species. Urasterella huxleyi (Billings, 1865) is reassigned to Anthroosasterias . Relatively large specimen suites for Anthroosasterias huxleyi (Billings, 1865) and Salteraster grandis (Meek, 1872) enable some interpretation of urasterellid intrataxon variation, ontogenetic change, and life mode. Morphologic changes accompanying ontogeny of A. huxleyi are argued as favoring a shift from substrate surface feeding to feeding through extension of arms into the water column in a manner comparable to that seen among extant Forcipulatida and ophiurans.
UUID: http://zoobank.org/82d2eca7-55e0-42ed-a164-c666652e3972
A comprehensive review of the literature on echinoderm recorded in Thai waters was carried out in order to obtain the correct number of species found in this area. From the study, it was found that the total numbers of species are 381: 39 crinoids, 69 asteroids, 112 ophiuroids, 67 echinoids and 94 holothurians. All species presented and their distributions are tabulated herein. There are 14 type species of echinoderms inhabiting in Thai waters and four of them are endemic. The Andaman Sea has a greater diversity of echinoderms than those in the Gulf of Thailand. Most echinoderm recorded are of shallow waters while deep-water ones are remained relatively unexplored. Further study on echinoderms of shallow water should be done in term of monographic works and marine scientists should be encouraged in order to speed up the study on other aspects of these animals as well.