Astropecten polyacanthus ( Müller & Troschel, 1842 )

Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh & Price, Andrew. R. G., 2025, Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key, Zootaxa 5647 (3), pp. 201-234 : 212-214

Astropecten polyacanthus ( Müller & Troschel, 1842) : 68

Material examined: 1 specimen (ZMSBUK-1642)

R: 74mm, r: 18mm

Description: ( Figs. 15–17 )

Five long arms, rectangular in cross section, with a relatively small disc ( R /r:>4:1). Actinal and abactinal surface very flattened. Abactinal paxillae relatively large, particularly so toward the axis of the arms and centre of the disc where they bear up to 18 granules; peripheral paxillae somewhat smaller with up to 8 central granules; madreporite clearly visible but not large; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates each with a large vertically erect, sharp spine, except on the second and occasionally third most proximal plates were this is absent. Most proximal supero-marginal spine very prominent. Infero-marginal plates each with a prominent spine and 4–5 smaller spines arranged in a fine row along the distal plate edge. Remainder of infero-marginal plate covered in smaller spinelets. Actinal surface largely covered by an extension of the infero-marginal plates; adambulacral plates with three furrow row spines; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point.

Observations:

Mainly found in sandy and/or sandy-rock shores from the intertidal to 5 m. Live specimens have a tendency to almost disappear into sandy bottoms by sifting themselves into the substrate. Recorded in the present study at Nayband Bay , Bostaneh in main land and, Qeshm, Hengam , Larak , Hormuz, Lavan and Kish Islands .

Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: ( Mortensen 1940; Clark & Bowen 1949; Clark & Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1982b; Price 1983; Khayat 2005; George 2012; Pourvali et al. 2014; Pourvali 2015; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.

Figures

FIGURE 15. Astropecten polyacanthus polyacanthus, (ZMSBUK-1642), A. live specimen, B: arrangement of paxillae and supero-marginal plates (scale; B: 2 mm).

FIGURE 16. Astropecten polyacanthus polyacanthus, (ZMSBUK-1642), A. inferomarginal plates, B. supero-marginal plates (scales; A&B: 2 mm).

FIGURE 17. Astropecten polyacanthus polyacanthus, (ZMSBUK-1642), A. proximal infero-marginal plates, B. madreporite and showing the lack of spine in second supero-marginal plates (scales; A&B: 2 mm).