Anthenoides peircei Perrier1881

Mah, Christopher L., 2024, Two New Taxa of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea, Echinodermata) and Noteworthy Observations of Deep-Sea Asteroidea by the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in the North and Tropical Atlantic, Zootaxa 5432 (4), pp. 461-508 : 471-473

Anthenoides peircei Perrier1881

FIGURE 4A–C

Anthenoides peircei Perrier, 1881: 23 ; 1884: 168, 170, 247, pl. 8 fig. 1; Sladen, 1889: 326, 756pl; Perrier, 1894: 38; Verrill, 1915: 113, pl..3; fig. 2 pl. 10; figs. 1–1b, 2–2f; Fisher, 1911: 328, 331; Fisher, 1919: 328, 331, 332; H.L. Clark, 1941: 49; D. D. John & A.M. Clark, 1954: 139; A.H. Clark, 1954: 375; Halpern, 1970a: 272, figs. 29–30; Florez & Martinez de Rodriguez, 1971: 5; Downey, 1973: 48, pl. 17, figs. A–B; Walenkamp, 1976: 63, figs. 8c, 21, pl. 12, fig. 3, pl. 13, figs. 1–4, pl..14, figs. 1,3,4; pl. 15, fig. 2; Jangoux, 1978: 95; Walenkamp, 1979: 36, figs.11,13, pl. 9, figs. 1–4; Clark and Downey, 1992: 228, pl. 54E; Clark, A.M. 1993: 242.

Anthenoides brasiliensis Bernasconi, 1956: 33 , pl. 1; 1958: 131, pl. 3, figs. 4–5; 1961: 24, pl. 2; 1963: 20, pol. 1, fig. 3, pl.2, fig4, pl. 5, fig. 1; 1964: 254 (as part of key); Clark, A.M. 1993: 242.

Nomenclatural Note

As outlined by Lawrence & Pomory in Mah (2023a), The species name is commonly misspelled « piercei » as has been observed in Clark & Downey (1992: 228) and Sladen (1889). The correct spelling « peircei » was named for a professor of astronomy and mathematics at Harvard.

Diagnosis

Body stellate, arms triangular, sharply tapering ( Fig. 4A ). Body surface covered by a distinct dermis, which obscures plates in some individuals. Abactinal plates flat, polygonal, in regular rows along radial regions ( Fig. 4C ). Papular pores large, single. Secondary plates present, numerous. Marginal plates blocklike with inferomarginal plates bevelled, projecting slightly beyond superomarginal plates. Up to 12 pairs of superomarginal plates abutted medially ( Figs 4B–C ). Granules close and abundant on actinal surface, absent or reduced on abactinal surface. Adambulacral plates narrow, each with furrow spines, 4 to 8, two conical subambulacral spines present. Pedicellariae bivalve, variably abundant on actinal surface. Modified from Clark & Downey (1992).

Comments

Clark and Downey ‘s (1992) designation of MCZ 480 as a holotype and Halpern’s (1970b) statement that the type material for this species as lost are incorrect. Perrier’s (1881, 1894) original description is based on a syntype series in the MNHN collections (MNHN-IE-2014-148) which remains extant.

In situ Observation

Figure 4A–C shows to the best of knowledge, the first published observations of this species in situ. The upturned arms have been observed on nearly all preserved specimens, but observed here on a living specimen, this suggests this is its natural posture with elongate tube feet extended. Actinal surface appears flush with or impressed into the sediment, which appears displaced ( Fig. 4A ), suggesting that this species may be a detritivore or an infaunal predator. Figure. 4C shows A. peircei elevated on a substrate covered by encrusting organisms upon which it is likely feeding.

Color of living individuals is tan to brown with dark orange or brown highlights present interradially, on arm tips and on irregular positions on the abactinal plates ( Fig. 4B ).

Mecho et al. (2019) presented in situ imagery of Anthenoides sp. , from Rapa Nui, which were possibly Anthenoides epixanthus ( Mah 2021) . This species was variably a dark, solid orange color to white with dark orange highlights with white arm tips.

Occurrence

Central to South West Atlantic Ocean: Virginia, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Gulf of Mexico. Caribbean Sea. Mexico, Columbia, Antillean Islands from Yucatan to Venezuela. Puerto Rico, Cuba. Belize, Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Surinam, Brazil. Uruguay: Cabo Polonio (to ~31˚’S). 55–844 m

Images Examined

Puerto Rico, 18.15403, -67.51924, 472 m. ( Fig. 4A )

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Lang Bank, Puerto Rico, 286 m. ( Fig. 4B )

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Lang Bank, Puerto Rico, 312 m. ( Fig. 4C )

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Figures

FIGURE 4. Anthenoides peircei. A. Puerto Rico, 472 m. Green dots (lasers)=10 cm. B. On vertical wall, Lang Bank, Puerto Rico, 286 m. C. Feeding, Lang Bank, Puerto Rico, 312 m.