Globosita Cherbonnier, 1958

Sphaerella Heding and Panning, 1954: 111 (occupied generic name). Globosita Cherbonnier, 1958: 198 (replacement name).

Diagnosis. Cylindrical to ovoid dendrochirotid species, up to 100 mm long (preserved), sometimes with short oral and anal cones; mouth anterior dorsal, anus posterior dorsal; lacking anal teeth; 20 dendritic tentacles, 15 large, 5 inner small; radial plates of calcareous ring with paired composite posterior prolongations, each comprising up to about 6 discrete segments; inter-radial plates truncate or with notch posteriorly, lacking posterior prolongations; tube feet scattered over whole body, more numerous dorsally or ventrally; gonad tubules in 2 tufts, branched.

Body wall ossicles thick plates, irregularly round to oval to sub-rectangular, up to 90 µ m long, perforations very small or lacking, sometimes finely knobbed on margin and surface, plates sometimes with 4 larger central perforations, sometimes with one large central perforation surmounted by a cross; tables with four pillars sometimes present in body wall, spires sometimes incomplete; rosettes may be present; tentacles with rods, perforated distally.

Type species. Globosita argus (Heding and Panning, 1954) (type locality Java).

Other species, with distributions. Globosita dobsoni (Bell, 1883) (Honduras); G. elnazae O’Loughlin sp. nov. (N Australia); G. murrea Cherbonnier, 1988 (Madagascar).

Remarks. Cherbonnier (1958) recognized that the genus name Sphaerella was occupied, and provided the replacement name Globosita. Cherbonnier (1988) examined the holotype of Globosita argus and observed ‘pseudo-tables’. Deichmann (1930) expressed the opinion that the juveniles of Globosita dobsoni would have tables.