Globosita Cherbonnier, 1958

Sphaerella Heding and Panning, 1954: 111 (occupied generic name). Globosita Cherbonnier, 1958: 198 (replacement name).

Diagnosis. Cylindrical to ovoid dendrochirotid species, up to 100 mm long (preserved), sometimes with short oral and anal cones; mouth anterior dorsal, anus posterior dorsal; lacking anal teeth; 20 dendritic tentacles, 15 large, 5 inner small; radial plates of calcareous ring with paired composite posterior prolongations, each comprising up to about 6 discrete segments; inter-radial plates truncate or with notch posteriorly, lacking posterior prolongations; tube feet scattered over whole body, more numerous dorsally or ventrally; gonad tubules in 2 tufts, branched.

Body wall ossicles thick plates, irregularly round to oval to sub-rectangular, up to 90 µ m long, perforations very small or lacking, sometimes finely knobbed on margin and surface, plates sometimes with 4 larger central perforations, sometimes with one large central perforation surmounted by a cross; tables with four pillars sometimes present in body wall, spires sometimes incomplete; rosettes may be present; tentacles with rods, perforated distally.

Type species. Globosita argus (Heding and Panning, 1954) (type locality Java).

Other species, with distributions. Globosita dobsoni (Bell, 1883) (Honduras); G. elnazae O’Loughlin sp. nov. (N Australia); G. murrea Cherbonnier, 1988 (Madagascar) .

Remarks. Cherbonnier (1958) recognized that the genus name Sphaerella was occupied, and provided the replacement name Globosita . Cherbonnier (1988) examined the holotype of Globosita argus and observed ‘pseudo-tables’. Deichmann (1930) expressed the opinion that the juveniles of Globosita dobsoni would have tables.