Figure 9 A–D, F.
Alexandraster inflata Fisher 1906: 300
Poraniopsis inflata Fisher 1910: 569; 1911: 261; Hayashi 1940: 167, pl. 10, fig. 10; Djakonov 1950: 85 (1968: 73); Alton 1966: 1682, 1684, 1688; Lambert 1978 a: 4,19; 1978 b: 63; Kozloff 1987: 453 (checklist); Maluf 1988: 42, 123; Imaoka et al. 1990: 53; AM Clark 1993: 236; Shin & Rho 1996: 30, 625, pl. 27; Lambert 2000: 55; Kohtsuka & Saba 2002: 12; Mah 2007: 928; Lamb & Hanby 2005: 328; Mah 2007: 928; Alvarado et al. 2010: 47; Hendrickx et al 2011: 801; Mah & Foltz 2011: 771, fig. 1 (in tree), 776
Poraniopsis inflata flexilis Fisher 1910: 568; Fisher 1911: 265; A.M. Clark 1993: 236; Pawson & Ahearn 2000: 42, 43
Poraniopsis japonica Fisher 1939: 470
Poraniopsis jordani Gotschall 1994: 85 (nomen nudum)
Synonymy of Poraniopsis japonica: Fisher (1939) described Poraniopsis japonica from Honshu, Japan, distinguishing it from P. inflata on the basis of larger disk, broader rays, presence of small spinelets present in the membrane of the papular areas and furrow spines lacking a notch or groove.
Features such as the larger disk and broader rays are observed within the variation of examined specimens, especially those with larger size (R>7.0). The tiny dermal spinelets described by Fisher (1939) are projections from tiny, minute ossicles present in each papular region (Fig. 9 F). These ossicles (but not the spinelets) are present in P. inflata from California (Fisher 1911) and were more abundant in specimens of P. inflata from Japan. The holotype for P. japonica is relatively large (R= 7.7 cm) suggesting that these ossicles may be more pronounced as a function of its greater size. Anderson and Shimek (2010) have suggested that coelomic fluid is expelled as a defensive measure resulting in greater exposure of its spination. While the arms do not show any size disparity, as outlined by Anderson and Shimek (2010), the expulsion of coelomic fluid as a stress response or simple deformation from preservation, could have resulted in enhanced protrusion of these ossicles from the delicate body wall.
The notch/groove on the furrow spines is not as distinct on the holotype of P. japonica but cross-section of the furrow spines shows the shape is consistent with that of other P. inflata.
Other taxonomic notes. Two subspecies of Poraniopsis inflata were recognized by Fisher (1911: 261) P. inflata inflata and P. inflata flexilis. Fisher (1911: 265) separated the latter from the former based on the weaker skeleton, larger papular areas, furrow spines tapering/pointed without grooves and the absence of grains/ossicles in the integument of the papular areas in P. inflata flexilis. However, all of these characters fail to show the clear delination as suggested by Fisher as additional specimens are examined. Although some specimens do conform to the flexilis morphology, other specimens show both character states. For example, furrow spines on individual specimens in USNM 1126277 are both pointed and blunt with grooves. Characters may be affected by ecological plasticity and/or growth. Specimen preservation (wet versus dry) also may be an important consideration in observing the furrow spine groove as dry specimens may display the groove, or at least an incipient notch on the spine tip more evidently. There is a lack of a clear distinction between subspecies, which supports synonymy of flexilis into P. inflata.
Occurrence. Russia, (Moneron Island), Korea, Japan, west coast of North America: Alaska (Gulf of Alaska, Aleutians, Patton Seamount), British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, west to Pioneer Seamount, south to Southern California, Baja California, Panama, Galapagos Islands. 80–1022 m
Material examined. Japan. USNM E 5603 Holotype P. japonica. East of Honshu Island, Kinkazan Island. 38 ° 12 'N, 142 ° 1 ' 59.8 E, 333 m. Coll. USFS Albatross, Northwestern Pacific Expedition (R= 7.7, r= 3.8). USNM 1085995 Uozu, Honshu Island, Toyama Bay. 91 m. Coll. Yasuo T. Kano. 13 March 1985. (1 dry spec. R= 5.1, r= 1.9); CASIZ 173996 Uozu, Toyama Bay, Sea of Japan, 80 m. Coll. Y.T. Kano, 3 May 1988 (1 dry spec. R= 5.8, r= 2.4); North America. CASIZ 117815 Gulf of Alaska, 121 m. Coll. R/V Miller Freeman (1 dry spec. R= 7.5, r= 3.1); CASIZ 175081 Gulf of Alaska, 44 º 92 ’N, 124 º 77 ’W, 333 m. Coll R/V E.J. Kools, 8 April 2003 (1 wet spec. R= 6.7, r= 2.4); CASIZ 120063 Gulf of Alaska, 58 º 30.36 ’N, 139 º 53.87 ’W, 227 m. Coll. R. VanSyoc, 15 July 1999 (1 wet spec. R= 6.9, r= 3.1); CASIZ 120349 Patton Seamount, 54 º 37.0636 N, 150 º 26.2302 W, 971 m. Coll. Bill Donaldson and Matt Heinty on R/V Alvin, 27 July 1999 (1 wet spec. R= 10.3, r= 3.7). CASIZ 118319, Off Oregon coast, 45 º 53.40 ’N, 124 º 47 ’N, 549– 640 m. Coll. R/V Cayuse, 13 Aug 1974 (2 wet specs. R= 2.2, r= 0.9; R= 2.2, r= 0.7); CASIZ 121348 Off Oregon coast, 45 º 56 ’N, 124 º 35 ’W, 176 m. Coll. A. Carey aboard R/V Cayuse, 14 Oct 1969 (1 wet spec. R= 6.3, r= 2.1). CASIZ 116789 Off Pt. Sur, California 36 º 22.70 N, 122 º 5.90 W, 600 m. Coll R. VanSyoc, and D. Chivers, 9 May 1985 (1 wet spec. r= 2.4, r= 0.7); CASIZ 178617 Cordell Bank, Marin County, California. 86.0 m, Coll. 7 Aug 2008 (1 wet spec. R= 1.1, r= 0.4); USNM 1215323 North Pacific, Pioneer Seamount, 37.369502, - 123.41070, 1022 m. D 84 -A1, 8 Sept. 2005 (1 wet spec. R= 4.1, r= 1.9). Galapagos. CASIZ 115192 Isla Espanola, Galapagos, 1 º 22.20 ’S, 89 º 49.20 ’W, 354 m (1160 ft), Coll. J. McCosker, 7 July 1998 (1 wet spec. R= 5.5, r= 2.2); USNM E 51288 Marchena Island, Galapagos Islands. 3800, - 90.4333, 555 m. Coll. C. Baldwin, G. Merlen, aboard the Johnson Sea Link II, July 1998 (1 wet spec. R= 6.3, r= 2.3); USNM E 51289 Darwin Island, Galapagos Islands, 1 ° 42 'S, 92 °W, 249–436 m, Coll. D. Pawson & J. McCosker, aboard the Johnson Sea Link II, July 1998 (1 wet spec. R= 5.2, r=2.0)
Other records (not examined). Southern California. SIO E 163 Scripps Canyon-canyon walls, La Jolla, California, 40 m (130 ft), Coll. Hopkins and Crozier; SIO E 164 off La Jolla Canyon, La Jolla, CA; SIO E 345 Off Scripps Pier in Scripps Canyon, 88.3 m (290 ft), Coll. C. Limbaugh, Oct 5, 1959; SIO E 590 La Jolla Canyon “pothole”, La Jolla, California, 44 m (145 ft), Coll. C. Limbaugh, Oct 3, 1959. Baja California. SIO E 930 NE of Isla Guadalupe, Baja California 29 º 30.8 ’N, 117 º 16.8 ’W, 549–732 m, Coll. R. Parker on R/V S.F. Baird