Neoferdina antigorum Mah, 2017

FIGURE 11A–E

Mah 2018: 44

Diagnosis

This species is characterized by the presence of very few to absent strongly convex, bald abactinal plates but with a distinct round, bald patch on each superomarginal plate (Figs.11A–C), which forms a regular, homogeneous series along the arm (Fig. 11C). A continuous granular tegument covers most of the body surface, including abactinal, marginal and actinal plates (Figs 11B, D–E). Abactinal plates are mostly homogeneous (Fig. 11A–B). This species has a minority of convex abactinal plates with bare patches and spinelets on distalmost inferomarginal plates (Fig. 11A–B), bald patches absent from the proximalmost inferomarginal plates (Fig. 11A).

Comments

Neoferdina antigorum was described from mesophotic depths in the Philippines (Mah 2017) and further specimens from mesophotic settings, as reported herein, suggest that it may be widespread across the tropical Pacific. This species has not been recorded above the mosphotic zone.

Occurrence

Okinawa, Japan, 46– 53 m.

Outside Japan. Philippines, 80– 200 m.

Material Examined

USNM E45964 3km WSW of Yuhi Misaki, Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, 26.8467 127.253, 52–53 m. Coll. RF Bolland, 14 Nov 1987, 1 dry spec. R=1.7 r=0.6.

USNM 1579916 1 km WNW of Onna Village, Horseshoe Cliffs, Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, 26.5 127.848, 46–52 m. Coll. R.F. Bolland, 8 Feb 1990. 1 wet spec. R=1.4 r=0.4.