Araeosoma paucispinum H.L. Clark, 1925c

Fig. 18 A–C.

Araeosoma paucispinum H.L. Clark, 1924: 4 . Pl. II; Mortensen, 1935: 251 –254. Pls. XLI–XLII. Pl. LXXIX, Figs 1–9; Clark & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 219; A.M. Clark, 1977: 133; Schultz, 2011: 1081, Fig. 1887.

Material examined. MBC-A 022777; MBC-A 022814; MBC-A023304; MBC-A 022221.

Identification. Test of live specimen high with circular outline. Apical plates small and widely spaced; madreporite divided into two or more parts, in some cases extending over some of the periproctal plates. Secondary ambulacra plates reduced to tablet around pore-pairs, slightly horizontal arcs. Tridentate pedicellariae with strongly involute, curved valves absent. Live specimen dark violet, when preserved reddish in color.

Global maximum size. Maximum test diameter 135 mm.

Global distribution. Endemic to East coast region of South Africa, at 360–454 m depth (Clark & Courtman- Stock 1976).

Remarks. Specimens in very poor condition, making it difficult to report on tubercles and some other structures.