Linckia multifora ( Lamarck 1816 )

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 : 219-221

Linckia multifora ( Lamarck 1816) : 565 [As Asterias multifora ]

Material examined: 6 specimens (ZMSBUK-1643/1 - ZMSBUK-1643/6)

Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 153mm, r: 13mm.

Description: ( Figs. 25–28 )

Five (occasionally four to six) long thin arms and small disc ( R /r:>10:1), arms typically unequal and cylindrical, almost completely circular in cross-section; plates of abactinal surface with irregularly spaced mix of numerous, flat granules and closed pores; no obvious gonopores; two madreporites typical; no distinctive supero-marginal or infero-marginal plates defining body margin; plates on actinal surface covered by dense, small granules; ambulacral plates with conspicuous protruded edge; subambulacral spines rounded and granule like, separated and barely projecting from the plate surface, surrounded by many smaller granules; tube feet cylindrical with terminal disc; colour in live specimens usually khaki or red with brownish-yellow and/or purplish-red arm spots, colour completely bleaches in alcohol.

Observations:

Found on hard substrates, occasionally amongst shells, gravels, dead -corals, or on coralreefs; from 2m to 13m; Recorded in the present study from Hengam , Qeshm, Larak , Lavan , Kish , Kharg and Kharku Islands. Observed subtidally at Bostaneh .

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

Figures

FIGURE 25. Linckia multifora, (ZMSBUK-1643/1), A. live specimen, B. magnified view of abactinal disc, showing two madreporite (scale; B: 2 mm).

FIGURE 26. Linckia multifora, (ZMSBUK-1643/1), A. magnified view of actinal disc, B. showing the cluster of gonopore (scales; A: 2 mm, B: 1 mm).

FIGURE 27. Linckia multifora, (ZMSBUK-1643/1), A. magnified view of lateral of arm, B. magnified view of dorsal of arm (scales; A&B: 2 mm).

FIGURE 28. Linckia multifora, (ZMSBUK-1643/1), A. magnified view of ventral of arm, B. cross-section of an arm (scales; A&B: 2 mm).