Spoladaster veneris Perrier 1879

Spoladaster veneris Perrier 1879

Figure 10 A–D.

Culcita veneris Perrier 1879: 48; Bell 1905: 248

Cryaster brachyactis H.L. Clark 1923:293 –294, pl.11, figs 1,2; Mortensen 1933: 249, pl. 12, 14

Tylaster meridionalis Mortensen 1933: 249 –250, pl.12, figs 11–13; A.M.Clark 1952: 196, 207–208; A.M. Clark & Courtman- Stock 1976: 74.

Spoladaster brachyactis Fisher 1940: 135 –136; A.M. Clark 1952: 196, 208; 1976: 254–255; A.M. Clark & Courtman-Stock 1976: 74; A.M. Clark 1984: 41

Spoladaster veneris A.M. Clark 1952: 208; 1976: 251; A.M. Clark 1993: 237; Stampanato & Jangoux 1997: 28, 31

Taxonomic comments & synonymy of S. brachyactis. Examination of South African and Indian Ocean specimens of Spoladaster reveal that the morphological boundaries used to separate the two previously established species overlap, and do little to distinguish them from one another. A.M. Clark (1976: 255) outlined the character differences for both species. Spoladaster veneris possessed two furrow spines per adambulacral plates, lacked a band of intermarginal papulae and did not show spines on the inferomarginal spines at the junction between the abactinal and actinal regions. Although spines are variably present on South African specimens (e.g., CASIZ 87573, 87574), they are abundantly present on the actinal and inferomarginal surfaces of south Indian Ocean specimens (e. g MNHN IE-2006-1234).

Adambulacral spine count for specimens from both localities is identical, two to three present per plate. However proximal furrow spines counts on South African specimens (e.g., CASIZ 87573) show both double (on proximal) and single (on distal) furrow spines present on adambulacral plates. Subambulacral spines, which may have been sheathed in skin, may also have been mistaken for furrow spines adding to confusion of spine counts. Furrow spine counts for South African and Indian Ocean Spoladaster specimens overlap and do not provide distinction between species as A.M. Clark (1976) has outlined. Spoladaster brachyactis (H.L. Clark 1923) is relegated to the synonymy of Spoladaster veneris (Perrier 1879).

Occurrence. South Africa, west and south coasts of Cape Province, Southern Indian Ocean: Amsterdam and Saint-Paul Islands. 0–1150 m.

Material examined. South Africa. CASIZ 87574 Off South Africa, South Atlantic, 35º1’94” S 20º22’20” E, 101 m. Coll. J. Korrubel, 14 Sept 1991 (1 dry spec. R=1.7, r=1.2, body upturned); CASIZ 87573 Off South Africa, South Atlantic, 35º06’S 20º21’E, 109 m. Coll. J. Korrubel, 8 June 1991. (5 dry specs. R=2.6, r=2.2; R=1.7, r=0.9; R=1.6, r=1.2; R=1.4, r=0.7; R=1.8, r=0.9). South Indian Ocean. IE- 2006-1234, Saint Paul Island, 38°25'S, 77°25'E, 105-111, MD50, St. 34, CP 152 (2 dry specs. R=3.8, r=3.1; R=3.9, r=3.3); IE- 2006-1228 Saint Paul Island, 38°40'S, 77°30'E, 80–100 m MD 50, St. 35, CP 165 (1 dry spec. R=3.8, r=2.7); IE- 2013–4402, Amsterdam Island 38º40’S 77º30’S, 80– 100 m. Coll. P.Lozouet 23 July 1986 (1 dry spec. R=3.5. r=2.4); no. number. Paris. Ile Saint-Paul, “inferieur du cratere, parte N-E, sous l’echelle de mares. Coll. 2 Feb 1972 (1 dry spec. R=3.8, r=2.5); IE- 2013-4401 South Indian Ocean, 37º51’S 77º36’E, 75– 200 m. Coll. R/V Marion Dufresne MD50, st. 11-DC 59. Coll. P Lozouet 5 July 1986 (1 wet spec. R=5.0, r=4.5); EcAs No # Crater, Ile St. Paul, 50 m. Coll. P. Noel (1 dry spec. R=5.4, r=3.6); IE- 2013-4402. I’le Amsterdam. (2 dry specs. R=4.5, r=3.4; R=4.4, r=3.3).