Clarkcomanthus comanthipinnus ( Gislén, 1922 ), Gislen, 1922

Summers, Mindi M., Messing, Charles G. & Rouse, Greg W., 2017, The genera and species of Comatulidae (Comatulida: Crinoidea): taxonomic revisions and a molecular and morphological guide, Zootaxa 4268 (2), pp. 151-190 : 180-181

Clarkcomanthus comanthipinnus ( Gislén, 1922)

Fig. 13 O–R

Actinometra cumingi: Bell, 1884: 167 .

Actinometra intricata (Lütken MS): Schmeltz, 1874: 190 (part); AH Clark, 1908c: 441 (part).

Actinometra mutabilis (Lütken MS): Hartlaub, 1891: 98; AH Clark, 1908c: 444.

? Actinometra polymorpha: Carpenter, 1879: 53 (part; var. 4, pl. 1, fig. 16, pl. 2, fig. 7, pl. 3, fig. 3, pl. 6, figs. 23, 24); AH Clark, 1908c: 446 (part).

Comanthus (Vania) parvicirra ß comanthipinna: Gislén, 1922: 51, figs. 44, 45.

Comanthus parvicirra : AH Clark, 1931: 631 (part).

Comanthus parvicirrus : AM Clark & Rowe, 1971: 6, 16 (part); AM Clark, 1975: 395 (part).

Oxycomanthus comanthipinnus: Rowe et al., 1986: 249 –250, figs. 3A, 8G, H. Oxycomanthus exilis: Rowe et al., 1986: 251 –254, fig. 9A.

Remarks. Clarkcomanthus exilis (Rowe et al. 1986) is synonymized under Cl. comanthipinnus ( Gislén, 1922) based on molecular results that indicate specimens from Australia identified morphologically as the two species are really the same species. Rowe et al. (1986) originally considered the two (as O. exilis and O. comanthipinnus ) as most closely related within Oxycomanthus . The two were distinguished based on transverse bars on cirri, comb on P2, and an aboral light arm stripe in Cl. comanthipinnus that are all lacking in Cl. exilis . Variation in cirral ornamentation may be the result of habitat differences; Cl. comanthipinnus is generally semicryptic with arms exposed, while Cl. exilis is primarily hidden under rubble during the day. In Papua New Guinea, we found most juveniles under rubble and no species exclusive to rubble habitats. Descriptions of both species from Japan, the type locality of Cl. comanthipinnus , agree with those from Australia ( Kogo 1998, 2002).

Figures

FIGURE 13. Clarkcomanthus. (A – J) Clarkcomanthus albinotus— (A) live, oral view following extraction from rubble; (B) semicryptic under ledge; (C – H) aboral views; (I – J) short combs tapering near tip, with J showing paired confluent comb teeth. (K – L) Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum, aboral surface showing rounded centrodorsal with row of cirri. (M – N) Clarkcomanthus cf. littoralis — (M) aboral surface showing centrodorsal with no cirri; (N) comb with separated confluent teeth, smaller near tip. (O – R) Clarkcomanthus comanthipinnus— (O, P) live, oral view following extraction from rubble; (Q) aboral surfaces showing rounded centrodorsal with few cirri at interradials; (R) comb tapering to distal point, composed of separated nonconfluent teeth. (S – T) Clarkcomanthus mirus— (S) aboral surface showing centrodorsal with cirrus buds at interradials; (T) comb tapering to blunt tip, composed of separated nonconfluent teeth. Madang, Papua New Guinea: A. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 8060; B, C. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 8122; D. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 8068; K. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 8184; O. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 8082; P. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 8151. Raja Ampat, Indonesia: E. SIO-BIC E 6186; F. SIO-BIC E 6187; G, I. SIO-BIC E 6190; L. SIO-BIC E 6210; M, N. SIO-BIC E 6193. South Island, near Lizard Island, Australia: H, J. AM J 17360; holotype. Lizard Island, Australia: Q-R. AM J 16992, holotype; S, T. AM J 17202, holotype.