identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
6233CD02612C3F77FF24856E3D8CADE0.text	6233CD02612C3F77FF24856E3D8CADE0.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Asteroidea de Blainville 1830	<div><p>Key to the Asteroidea of the Persian Gulf</p><p>1 Lack of terminal disc in tube feet; body flattened along actinal/abactinal axis; abactinal plates paxilliform............... 2</p><p>- Tube feet cylindrical with terminal disc; body not conspicuously flattened along actinal/abactial axis.................. 11</p><p>2 Body edge defined by inferomarginal playes only; superomarginal plates indistinguishable ( Luidiidae)................. 3</p><p>- Edge of body defined by both conspicuous supero-marginal and inferomarginal plates ( Astropectinidae)............... 6</p><p>3 Colour with a bold ‘checkerboard’ pattern on the upper side (retained after preservation); seven to nine arms; abactinal paxillae lack enlarged central spines............................................ Luidia maculata Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842</p><p>- No distinctive checkerboard colour pattern, although dark radial stripes may be present; five or six arms; some, or many of the abactinal paxillae with large, sharp, conspicuous spines....................................................... 4</p><p>4 Long slender pedicellariae on the outer part of some adambulacral plates......................................... 5</p><p>- No pedicellariae on adambulacral plates............................................. Luidia prionota Fisher, 1913</p><p>5 Furrow and subambulacral spines arranged in 1 or 2 zigzag transverse rows, abactinal surface uniformally coloured................................................................................... Luidia hardwicki (Gray, 1840)</p><p>- Furrow and subambulacral spines in single transverse row, abactinal surface with long dark stripe along mid-radial line............................................................................ Luidia quinaria von Martens, 1865</p><p>6 Supero-marginal plates with a well-developed spine rising close to the abactinal or upper edge of the plate.............. 7</p><p>- Supero-marginal plates with spine absent or present, if present then all but the most basal arising from the middle or outer part of the plate, not the upper edge.......................................................................... 8</p><p>7 Supero-marginal spines present on all plates, no spines missing towards the proximal end....................................................................................... Astropecten polyacanthus phragmorus Fisher, 1913</p><p>- Several supero-marginal plates at proximal end missing spines and/or reduced in size............................................................................... Astropecten polyacanthus polyacanthus Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842</p><p>8 Supero-marginal plates lacking spines, although spines present on infero-marginals; two broad, spatulate spines on the middle part of each adambulacral plate........................................... Astropecten monacanthus Sladen, 1883</p><p>- Supero-marginal plates each with a spine on the outer part of the plate; adambulacral plates lacking broad, spatulate spines.. ................................................................................................... 9</p><p>9 Paxillae with numerous central granules (up to c. 35 in larger specimens); mid-radial arm paxillae often also with multiple central granules............................................................ Astropecten pugnax Koehler, 1910</p><p>- Paxillae rarely with more than a dozen granules; midradial arm paxillae reduced to only a single central granule......... 10</p><p>10 R not exceeding 45 mm; supero-marginal plates fairly small, surface covered with small spinelets; large prominent madreporite............................................................. Astropecten indicus Döderlein, 1888</p><p>- R regularly exceeding 50 mm; supero-marginal plates broad, and their surface covered with large, polygonal, flattened granules; madreporite small, inconspicuous.................................. Astropecten hemprichi Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842</p><p>11 Marginal plates large, forming a conspicuous side-wall to the body; abactinal surface usually flat, rarely convex; no papulae on the lower side ( Goniasteridae) ......................................................................... 12</p><p>- Marginal plates not conspicuous when viewed from above, very thin where these define the body edge; abactinal surface usually strongly convex; papulae usually present on lower side................................................ 14</p><p>12 Large, conspicuous bivalved pedicellaria, valves usually 5–6 times as wide as thick, covering half the diameter of the underlying plate; adambulacral plates baring three series of spines; five primary radials also with consipicuous enlarged, pointed tubercles.............................................................. Anthenea rudis Koehler, 1910</p><p>- No conspicuous large bivalved pedicellariae present, only minute and and hard to distinguish from granules where present; at most a single adambulacral spine; primary radials lacking conspicuous tubercles.................................. 13</p><p>13 Arms slender and acute at tips; supero-marginals narrow, not more than a fifth of r interradially; not more than one infero-marginal spine, sometimes none; adambulacral spine absent............................ Stellaster children Gray, 1840</p><p>- Arms blunt at the tip and usually broad throughout their length; superomarginals broad, ½ – ⅓ of r interradially; adambulacral spine prominent....................................................... Goniodiscaster insignis (Koehler, 1910)</p><p>14 More than 10 arms baring large, conical, isolated spines up to 30mm in length spread across the abactinal surface................................................................................ Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus, 1758)</p><p>- Arms typically 5–6, lacking prominent spines.............................................................. 15</p><p>15 Arms short and blunt; a supradorsal membrane present supported by the tips of the abactinal spines support a supradorsal membrane which forms a cavity with the abactinal surface to form a cavity within..................................................................................................... Euretaster cribrosus (von Martens, 1867)</p><p>- Arms long and cylindrical or short and rounded; supradorsal membrane always absent............................. 16</p><p>16 Arms cylindrical in cross-section ( Ophidiasteridae) ........................................................ 17</p><p>- Arms not cylindrical in cross section, varying from flattened to triangular........................................ 20</p><p>17 Abactinal plates in more or less regular longitudinal series for the whole length of the arm although margins often obscured by thick smooth skin, armament of any kind absent from all but adambulacral plates, which bear narrow furrow spines..................................................................................... Leiaster leachi (Gray, 1840)</p><p>- Abactinal plates irregularly arranged, plates rounded and completely covered in granules with margins not usually obscured by skin,, adambulacral plates with granule shaped furrow spines................................................. 18</p><p>18 Subambulacral spines in two series, arranged obliquely to give a ‘herring bone’ pattern to the underside of each arm; no granules between the furrow spines within the furrow................................. Linckia guildingi Gray, 1840</p><p>- Subambulacral spines very low, surrounded by granulation, usually only a single series presented but if two series, all the spines isolated from each other, furrow spines surrounded with granulation............................................ 19</p><p>19 Arms normally five in number with a single madreporite; arms fairly stout and blunt at the tip; color in life blue or bluishgreen................................................................... Linckia laevigata (Linnaeus, 1758)</p><p>- Arms irregular in length, normally two madreporites; arms slender and attenuate at the tip; color in life variegated, reddish, brownish, purplish or khaki-colored with yellowish, sometimes more or less uniform.... Linckia multifora (Lamarck, 1816)</p><p>20 Interradial areas extensive; arms tapering, stellate or short (sometimes to the extent that they are almost undifferentiated from the disc); abactinal surface reticular with secondary plates linking larger primary plates and leaving conspicuous porous areas in between ( Oreasteridae) ............................................................................. 21</p><p>- Interradial areas extensive or reduced, arms only short and body stellate when R &lt;30 mm; abactinal skeleton either consisting of closely imbricated plates with small interstitial pores ( Asterinidae) or body covered in thick skin with a series or spines along the carinal and superomarginal plate rows so that arms appear acutly triangular in cross-section ( Asteropseidae) ... 22</p><p>21 Body pentagonal when young, becoming almost spherical in larger specimens; marginal plates concealed within thickened skin............................................................... Culcita coriacea, Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842</p><p>- Arms well developed, not reduced and body never spherical in appearance; distal marginal plates covered with distinct, even sized and usually projecting granules................................... Pentaceraster mammillatus (Audouin, 1826)</p><p>22 Body covered by smooth thick skin which obscures underlying abactinal plates; edge of the body defined by superomarginals which bear prominent conical spines........................................ Asteropsis carinifera (Lamarck, 1816)</p><p>- Abactinal plates quadrangular or cresent shaped, not obscured by skin; edge of the body defined by inferomarginals which are armed only with clusters of spinelets or granules........................................................... 23</p><p>23 Usually more than 5, sometimes up to 9 arms of unequal size, often asymmetrically arrayed; multiple inconspicuous madreporites.............................................................. Aquilonastra burtoni (Gray, 1840)</p><p>- Typically 5 arms, sometimes 4 or 6, equal or subequal; form usually symmetrical; single conspicuous madreporite, very rarely two or more......................................................................................... 24</p><p>24 Pedicellariae absent............................................. Aquilonastra samyni O’Loughlin &amp; Rowe, 2006</p><p>- Pedicellaria present................................................................................... 25</p><p>25 Abactinal spinelets thick, up to 12 on each proximal carinal plate................ Aquilonastra iranica (Mortensen, 1940)</p><p>- More than 15 thin, small spinelets per proximal carinal plate, typically more than 24............................... 26</p><p>26 Fewer than 25 spinelets per proximal carinal plate, superomarginals with 10 spinelets (R = 19mm).................................................................................. Aquilonastra watersi, O’Loughlin &amp; Rowe, 2006</p><p>- Up to 38 spinelets per proximal carinal plate, inferomarginals with 21 spinelets per plate (R = 22mm)...... Aquilonastra sp.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02612C3F77FF24856E3D8CADE0	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02612B3F77FF2481973BACAFA6.text	6233CD02612B3F77FF2481973BACAFA6.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Luidiidae Sladen 1889	<div><p>Family Luidiidae Sladen, 1889</p><p>Four species of Luidia are known from the Persian Gulf, three of which, L. hardwicki, L. maculata and L. prionota have been recorded frequently in the region. Despite extensive surveys, L. quinaria has not been re-encountered since it was apparently collected from the extreme north of the Persian Gulf by the R.I.M.S Investigator (Koehler 1910). We have not been able to examine this specimen, but the similarity of this species with other more widely reported species in the region, none of which were reported by Koehler and lack of subsequent collection, suggests that the status of this taxon within the Gulf should be treated as suspect.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02612B3F77FF2481973BACAFA6	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02612A3F76FF2487C539FEA98F.text	6233CD02612A3F76FF2487C539FEA98F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Luidia Forbes 1839	<div><p>Genus Luidia Forbes, 1839</p><p>Type: Luidia fragilissima Forbes, 1839,</p><p>a synonym of Asterias ciliaris Philippi, 1837, by monotypy</p><p>Diagnosis: Arms 5–11, elongate and gently tapering, lower surface almost flat. Abactinal plates highly paxilliform, the two most lateral series at least forming regular longitudinal rows. Supero-marginal plates much smaller than infero-marginal plates, often difficult to distinguish from similar sized adjacent lateral paxillae (expect in East Pacific subgenus Platasterias). Infero-marginals large and prominent, each bearing several long spines. Interradial areas small, adambulacral plates broad and bandlike, bearing 2–4 large spines. The inner-most (furrow) spine compressed, curved and sabre-like. Tube feet tapering to knob-like tip and lacking terminal suckers. Modified from Clark &amp; Downey (1992).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02612A3F76FF2487C539FEA98F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02612A3F76FF2485153B8DAC93.text	6233CD02612A3F76FF2485153B8DAC93.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Luidia hardwicki (Gray 1840)	<div><p>Luidia hardwicki (Gray, 1840): 183</p><p>[as Petalaster hardwicki]</p><p>Material examined: 1 specimen (ZMSBUK-1670)</p><p>R = 48mm, r = 7mm</p><p>Description: (Figs. 2–5)</p><p>Five (rarely six) long, slender arms branching from a small disc; actinal surface flat, aboral surface more obviously convex; Abactinal surface covered in densely packed paxillae, smaller towards disc centre, gradually increasing in size towards margins; admarginal paxillae clearly enlarged and broadly rectangular, arranged in 3–4 longitudinal series; admarginal paxillae with up to 13 central granules and 22 peripheral ones in larger specimens madreporite inconspicuous, largely concealed by paxillae; Supero-marginal plates not distinct, body margin defined by clear infero-marginal plates. Each infero-marginal plate bears a single, large flattened, sharp primary spine flanked by several smaller secondary spines in series down the middle of the plate; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point; Abactinal surface uniform in colour, lacking marked pattern except for a conspicuous lighter spot at the end of each arm</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Intertidal to 35 m depth; in sandy and muddy areas. Recorded in the present study at Bandar Abbas, Bostaneh, Bushehr and Bandar-e Lengeh and also in Hengam, Hormuz, Larak, Qeshm, Lavan, Kish and Khark Islands.</p><p>Previously reported in the Persian Gulf: (Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983; Pourvali et al. 2014; Pourvali 2015; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02612A3F76FF2485153B8DAC93	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261283F74FF2483BA3BB5AE59.text	6233CD0261283F74FF2483BA3BB5AE59.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten Gray 1840	<div><p>Genus Astropecten Gray, 1840</p><p>Type: Asterias aranciaca Linnaeus, 1758, by subsequent designation (Fisher 1908)</p><p>Diagnosis: Usually five arms, merging with the disc to produce rounded inter-radial arc. Supero-marginals usually smaller than infero-marginals, but much larger than, and distinct from, adjacent abactinall paxillae. Infero-marginal plates with irregularly distributed, horse-shoe shaped tubercles bearing conspicuous erect or appressed spines fringing the ambitus. Actinal interradial areas small, restricted to disc, usually only in a single series. Adambulacral furrow with three spines, only ambulacrals, superambulacrals and madreporite unarmoured with spines, spinules or granules. Modified from Clark and Downey, 1992.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261283F74FF2483BA3BB5AE59	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261283F74FF2484F6398CACEC.text	6233CD0261283F74FF2484F6398CACEC.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropectinidae Gray 1840	<div><p>Family Astropectinidae Gray, 1840</p><p>Of the Astropectinidae, only the genus Astropecten is currently known from the Persian Gulf. Five species have been recorded from this region, of which four are represented in the current study. Astropecten polyacanthus is represented by two subspecies: A. polycanthus polyacanthus, Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842 and A. polyacanthus phragmorus Fisher, 1913 . All appear to be relatively common in soft substrates throughout the northern Persian Gulf, although some are relatively localised.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261283F74FF2484F6398CACEC	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261283F74FF2487C53B7EA929.text	6233CD0261283F74FF2487C53B7EA929.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Luidia maculata (Muller & Troschel 1842)	<div><p>Luidia maculata (Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842): 77</p><p>“Not recorded in present survey”.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910; Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; James &amp; Pearse 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1982b; Price 1983).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261283F74FF2487C53B7EA929	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261283F74FF2486C53CC2AA55.text	6233CD0261283F74FF2486C53CC2AA55.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Luidia prionota , Fisher 1913	<div><p>Luidia prionota Fisher, 1913: 202</p><p>“Not recorded in present survey.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Price 1982a).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261283F74FF2486C53CC2AA55	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261283F74FF2485213D66AB28.text	6233CD0261283F74FF2485213D66AB28.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Luidia quinaria (von Martens 1865)	<div><p>Luidia quinaria (von Martens, 1865): 352</p><p>[as L. maculata var. quinaria]</p><p>“Not recorded in present survey.”</p><p>Only a single individual of this species has been reported previously from the extreme north of the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910). This species is otherwise only know from the South China Sea and Japan, and the lack of any repeated collection, despite considerable effort, makes the status of this species in the Gulf suspect (see above).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261283F74FF2485213D66AB28	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261283F7AFF2481263D2EAE68.text	6233CD0261283F7AFF2481263D2EAE68.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten hemprichi (Muller & Troschel 1842)	<div><p>Astropecten hemprichi (Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842): 71</p><p>Material examined: 4 specimens (ZMSBUK-1639/1 _ ZMSBUK-1639/4)</p><p>Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 56mm, r: 19mm</p><p>Description: (Figs. 6–10)</p><p>Five arms, disk relatively large and arms correspondingly shorter than in other Persian Gulf Astropecten species (R /r 3:1).Abactinal surface with numerous densely packed paxillae at the centre of the disc, becoming larger towards the periphery although those in the arm axes largest, up to 11 central granules. Madreporite small, often concealed by abactinal paxillae Body margin defined by large supero-marginal plates, rectangular in abactinal aspect, each possessing a series of granules, one of which is clearly enlarged on all by the most proximal; Long, spatulate primary spines extending from inferomarginal plate at right angles to the ray, 4–6 smaller accessory spines below the primary spine not in distinctive row, remainder of inferomarginal plates covered in spinlets; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point. Abactinal surface distinctly dark red to pale orange with irregular fusiform dark pink or pale red spots. Pattern faded by persistent in alcohol.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Found intertidally among mixed sandy/rock substrate; Recorded in the present study at Qeshm and Hengam Islands.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf; (Price 1982a; Price 1983; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261283F7AFF2481263D2EAE68	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261263F78FF2481043B6FAC75.text	6233CD0261263F78FF2481043B6FAC75.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten indicus (Doderlein 1888)	<div><p>Astropecten indicus (Döderlein, 1888): 828, Pl. XXXI, fig. 2a–d</p><p>Material examined: 13 specimens (ZMSBUK-1667/1 _ ZMSBUK-1667/13)</p><p>Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 52mm, r: 15mm.</p><p>Description: (Figs. 11–14)</p><p>Five (occasionally six) arms, triangular in abactinal aspect, disk relatively reduced compared to Astropecten hemprichi (R /r 3.5:1); Abactinal surface covered in small, tightly packed paxillae, those of the arm arranged in fine rows perpendicular to the axis of the ray; madreporite conspicuous, not covered by paxillae; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates each of which bear a small conical spine on the distal margin; infero-marginal plates with a relatively long spine extending to form a conspicuous fringe. No prominent secondary spines on infero-marginals, but occasionally one or two smaller spines present. Remainder of plate covered in numerous elongate granules; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point. Colour of abactinal surface in live specimens greyish to pale yellow with prominent dark bank along the axis of each arms extending to the centre of the disc.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Astropecten indicus shares the same ecological niche within the Gulf as A. pugnax . Found in sandy and muddy areas from intertidal to 25 m. Recorded in the present study at Hendijan, Genaveh, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Strait of Hormuz. All specimens collected were sampled by shrimp trawler.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983; George 2012; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261263F78FF2481043B6FAC75	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261243F78FF24833339A0AD51.text	6233CD0261243F78FF24833339A0AD51.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten monacanthus (Sladen 1883)	<div><p>Astropecten monacanthus (Sladen, 1883): 263</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1982b; Price 1983; Pourvali et al. 2014; Pourvali 2015).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261243F78FF24833339A0AD51	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261243F7EFF2482963A5BA9F3.text	6233CD0261243F7EFF2482963A5BA9F3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten polyacanthus (Muller & Troschel 1842)	<div><p>Astropecten polyacanthus (Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842): 68</p><p>Material examined: 1 specimen (ZMSBUK-1642)</p><p>R: 74mm, r: 18mm</p><p>Description: (Figs. 15–17)</p><p>Five long arms, rectangular in cross section, with a relatively small disc (R /r:&gt;4:1). Actinal and abactinal surface very flattened. Abactinal paxillae relatively large, particularly so toward the axis of the arms and centre of the disc where they bear up to 18 granules; peripheral paxillae somewhat smaller with up to 8 central granules; madreporite clearly visible but not large; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates each with a large vertically erect, sharp spine, except on the second and occasionally third most proximal plates were this is absent. Most proximal supero-marginal spine very prominent. Infero-marginal plates each with a prominent spine and 4–5 smaller spines arranged in a fine row along the distal plate edge. Remainder of infero-marginal plate covered in smaller spinelets. Actinal surface largely covered by an extension of the infero-marginal plates; adambulacral plates with three furrow row spines; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Mainly found in sandy and/or sandy-rock shores from the intertidal to 5 m. Live specimens have a tendency to almost disappear into sandy bottoms by sifting themselves into the substrate. Recorded in the present study at Nayband Bay, Bostaneh in main land and, Qeshm, Hengam, Larak, Hormuz, Lavan and Kish Islands.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Bowen 1949; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1982b; Price 1983; Khayat 2005; George 2012; Pourvali et al. 2014; Pourvali 2015; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261243F7EFF2482963A5BA9F3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261223F7EFF2486893AB8AEE3.text	6233CD0261223F7EFF2486893AB8AEE3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten polyacanthus subsp. phragmorus (Fisher 1913)	<div><p>Astropecten polyacanthus phragmorus (Fisher, 1913): 604</p><p>[as Astropecten acanthifer phragmorus]</p><p>Material examined: 10 specimens (material now lost)</p><p>Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 58mm, r: 13mm.</p><p>Description: (Figs. 18–21)</p><p>Five long arms, quadrangular in cross section, with a relatively small disc (R /r:&gt;4:1). Actinal and abactinal surface flattened; Abactinal paxillae large towards centre of disc and along mid-radial axis of arms with up to 17 granules. Peripheral paxillae much smaller along arm and disc margins, with only up to 6 granules; madreporite clearly visible; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates which all contain a sharp vertical spine on the abactinal surface including the second and third most proximal plates unlike in A. polyacanthus polyacanthus; each infero-marginal plate wih a single, long, sharp primary spine surrounded by numerous spinelets and with up to 5 smaller secondary spines below the primary spine; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point; colour in live specimens usually creamy to yellow or grayish with prominent dark spots on the disc and along arms, more or less symmetrical across the arm axis.</p><p>Taxonomic notes:</p><p>The two subspecies of Astropecten polyacanthus in the Persian Gulf [ A. polyacanthus polyacnthus and A. polyacanthus phragmorus] occur in the same substrates and are highly morphologically similar. Mortensen (1940: 61) noted specimens of A. polyacanthus and A. phragmorus in the Persian Gulf that appeared to intergrade between what were then two distinct species (Döderlein (1917: 178) having raised the latter species to specific rank). Clark (1974: 433) agreed with this assessment, having also worked on Persian Gulf material and reduced A. phragmorus to the status of a subspecies of A. polyacanthus . It has been treated as such by all subsequent authorities. The only consistent difference between the two subspecies observed in this study is the presence of a spine on all proximal supero-marginal plates in A. polycanthus phragmorus and its absence from the second more proximal supero-marginal plate in A. polyacanthus polyacanthus .</p><p>Fewer observations were made of A. polycanthus phragmorus than A. polyacanthus polyacanthus, and this subspecies has been far less commonly reported in the literature. However, we recorded both subspecies at several localities and it is possible that A. polycanthus phragmorus is more widely distributed in the Persian Gulf than currently recognised. The high similarity, and potential for integradation, between subspecies may have led to misidentification of some specimens as A. polyacanthus polyacanthus in earlier studies.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Sandy and sandy/rocky intertidal to 2 m; Recorded in the present study at Nayband Bay, Bostaneh, and also at Hormuz, Hengam, Qeshm and Lavan Islands.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Clark 1974; Price 1983; Pourvali 2015; Adeli et al 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261223F7EFF2486893AB8AEE3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261203F63FF24827A3C1EA8AF.text	6233CD0261203F63FF24827A3C1EA8AF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Astropecten pugnax (Koehler 1910)	<div><p>Astropecten pugnax (Koehler, 1910): 55, pl. IV, figs 4 and 7</p><p>Mortensen 1940, pp 62–63; Clark &amp; Rowe, 1971, p 30, 45; Price 1983, pp 31, 41–42, fig. 9;</p><p>Material examined: 14 specimens (ZMSBUK-1671/1 - ZMSBUK-1671/14)</p><p>Largest specimen in this study: R: 55mm, r: 12mm.</p><p>Description: (Figs. 22–24)</p><p>Five or six long arms, quadrangular in cross section, with a relatively small disc (R /r: ~4.5:1). Actinal and abactinal surface flattened; Abactinal surface covered in large paxillae with up to 35 evenly spaced granules towards the centre of the disc, slightly smaller towards the periphery; madreporite inconspicuous, often concealed within paxillae; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates which form a narrow band around the body edge. First most proximal supero-marginal plates with spine arising from the proximal surface, subsequent 4–5 most proximal supero-marginal plates spinless, remaining plates with small spine on abactinal surface towards the peripheral plate edge; infero-marginal plates with single, large pointed primary spine and an unequal series of smaller secondary spines below; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point; colour in live specimens uniformally pale yellowish to pale grayish, no distinctive pattern.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Occurs on muddy substrates from 8m to 25m. Recorded in the present study from Hendijan, Genaveh and Bushehr. A single specimen was observed in the subtidal area at low tide at, Bandar Abbas, Strait of Hormuz.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910; Mortensen, 1940; Clark &amp; Bowen 1949; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983; George 2012); present study. Astropecten pugnax was the first species of asteroid to be described specifically from Persian Gulf material.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261203F63FF24827A3C1EA8AF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613E3F62FF24834F3BEDACB8.text	6233CD02613E3F62FF24834F3BEDACB8.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus 1758)	<div><p>Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus 1758): 823</p><p>[As Asterias planci]</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previous reported from the Persian Gulf: (Price &amp; Rezai 1996; George 2012).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613E3F62FF24834F3BEDACB8	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613E3F62FF2482F13C93AE33.text	6233CD02613E3F62FF2482F13C93AE33.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Goniodiscaster insignis (Koehler 1910)	<div><p>Goniodiscaster insignis (Koehler, 1910): 66, pl. VIII, figs 5–6, pl. XIV, fig. 3</p><p>[As Goniodiscus insignis]</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910; Mortensen 1940; Price 1982a).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613E3F62FF2482F13C93AE33	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613E3F62FF2481B03CD4AFD1.text	6233CD02613E3F62FF2481B03CD4AFD1.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Stellaster childreni (Gray 1840)	<div><p>Stellaster childreni (Gray, 1840): 278</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910 [As Stellaster incei]; Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Price 1982a; James 1997 [As Stellaster equestris]; Sastry 2007 [As Stellaster childreni]).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613E3F62FF2481B03CD4AFD1	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613D3F61FF2486483C90A9CB.text	6233CD02613D3F61FF2486483C90A9CB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Leiaster leachi (Gray 1840)	<div><p>Leiaster leachi (Gray, 1840): 284</p><p>[As Ophidiaster leachi]</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613D3F61FF2486483C90A9CB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613D3F61FF2484773B8FABB3.text	6233CD02613D3F61FF2484773B8FABB3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Linckia guildingi (Gray 1840)	<div><p>Linckia guildingi (Gray, 1840): 285</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previous reported from the Persian Gulf: (Koehler 1910 [as Linckia pacifica]; Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Price 1982a; Sastry 2007; George 2012 [as Linckia guildingi]).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613D3F61FF2484773B8FABB3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613D3F61FF2486A73BD3AA9B.text	6233CD02613D3F61FF2486A73BD3AA9B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Linckia Nardo 1834	<div><p>Genus Linckia Nardo, 1834</p><p>Type: Linckia typus Nardo, 1834, a synonym of Asterias laevigata Linnaeus, 1758, by original designation</p><p>Diagnosis: Arms 4–8 (usually 5), hardly, if at all, tapering, almost completely cylindrical. Disc small (R/r often 10:1 or greater). Abactinal plates irregularly arranges and all plates covered with granules. Papular pores in groups between plates rarely extending below inferomarginal series. Ambulacral armature in two (occasionally three) series, spines short often appearing granuliform. No pedicellariae.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613D3F61FF2486A73BD3AA9B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613D3F67FF24835F3CA2A91F.text	6233CD02613D3F67FF24835F3CA2A91F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Linckia multifora (Lamarck 1816)	<div><p>Linckia multifora (Lamarck 1816): 565</p><p>[As Asterias multifora]</p><p>Material examined: 6 specimens (ZMSBUK-1643/1 - ZMSBUK-1643/6)</p><p>Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 153mm, r: 13mm.</p><p>Description: (Figs. 25–28)</p><p>Five (occasionally four to six) long thin arms and small disc (R /r:&gt;10:1), arms typically unequal and cylindrical, almost completely circular in cross-section; plates of abactinal surface with irregularly spaced mix of numerous, flat granules and closed pores; no obvious gonopores; two madreporites typical; no distinctive supero-marginal or infero-marginal plates defining body margin; plates on actinal surface covered by dense, small granules; ambulacral plates with conspicuous protruded edge; subambulacral spines rounded and granule like, separated and barely projecting from the plate surface, surrounded by many smaller granules; tube feet cylindrical with terminal disc; colour in live specimens usually khaki or red with brownish-yellow and/or purplish-red arm spots, colour completely bleaches in alcohol.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Found on hard substrates, occasionally amongst shells, gravels, dead -corals, or on coralreefs; from 2m to 13m; Recorded in the present study from Hengam, Qeshm, Larak, Lavan, Kish, Kharg and Kharku Islands. Observed subtidally at Bostaneh.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1982b; Price 1983; Khayat 2005; George 2012; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613D3F67FF24835F3CA2A91F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613B3F67FF2486E43B6BAB75.text	6233CD02613B3F67FF2486E43B6BAB75.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Linckia laevigata (Linnaeus 1758)	<div><p>Linckia laevigata (Linnaeus, 1758): 662</p><p>[As Asterias laevigata]</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Purwati &amp; Lane 2004; Adeli et al. 2022). Despite the publications listed above, the existence of Linckia laevigata in the Persian Gulf should remain circumspect. Purwati and Lane (2004) reported on the asteroid fauna of an expedition to the Anambas Islands in the southern South China Sea, listing the Persian Gulf as a further locality for L. laevigata . We were unable to trace any primary reference for this statement. Adeli et al (2022) reported on the first traceable specimens of L. laevigata from the Persian Gulf, but their images and description are not definitive for identification of this species.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613B3F67FF2486E43B6BAB75	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613A3F66FF2484A53D90ACE6.text	6233CD02613A3F66FF2484A53D90ACE6.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aquilonastra burtoni (Gray 1840)	<div><p>Aquilonastra burtoni (Gray, 1840): 289</p><p>[As Asterina burtonii]</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previous reported from the Persian Gulf: (Clark &amp; Rowe 1971 (pt); Price 1983 (pt); OʼLoughlin &amp; Rowe 2006).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613A3F66FF2484A53D90ACE6	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613A3F65FF2483BF3B65A883.text	6233CD02613A3F65FF2483BF3B65A883.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aquilonastra iranica (Mortensen 1940)	<div><p>Aquilonastra iranica (Mortensen 1940): 65, pl. 1, figs 1–4</p><p>[As Asterina cephea var. iranica]</p><p>Material examined: 22 specimens (ZMSBUK-1651/1 - ZMSBUK-1651/22)</p><p>Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 23mm, r: 11mm.</p><p>Description: (Figs. 29–31)</p><p>Five (occasionally four or six) equal or relatively subequal short arms (R /r ~2:1), arms broader towards the disc, tapering to a rounded end distally; actinal surface flattened, abactinal surface somewhat convex with an acute lateral angle; abactinal plates small, covered in no more than 12 short, thick, conical spinelets; gonopores apparent in fresh specimens, located between abactinal plates; pedicellaria present, small, found in proximal abactinal interradii; supero-marginals and infero-marginals present but small, not forming prominent boundary to the body margin; supero-marginals smaller than infero-marginals, bearing ~6 spinelets. Infero-marginals with ~12 thicker spinelets at R = 23mm; Actinal plates arranged in distinctive, narrow rows, containing a flattened series of up to 6 spinlets arrange in a row on the largest plates; tube feet cylindrical with central disc; colour in live specimens highly variable, base generally greyish with reddish, blue-grey, brown and green or occasionally violet spots. Colour in alcohol white or creamy with no distinctive patterning.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Found on hard substrates or amongst reef/shell rubble and gravel, mainly under rocks. Intertidal area to 7m; Recorded in the present study from Khor-e Musa, Oliye Jonubi (a small village next to Dayyer), Bushehr, Nayband Bay, Seyraf, Shirinoo, Kangan, Parsian, Bostaneh, Bandar-e Lengeh, Bandar Abbas. Also observed at Qeshm, Hengam, Hormuz, Larak, Abu Moussa, Kish, Lavan, Farur, Khark and Kharku Islands.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940 [As Asterina cephea var iranica]; Clark &amp; Bowen 1949; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971 (pt); Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1982b; Price 1983 (pt) [As Asterina burtoni]; OʼLoughlin &amp; Rowe 2006; George 2012; Pourvali et al. 2014; O’Loughlin &amp; Bribiesca-Contreras 2015; Pourvali 2015; Adeli et al. 2022 [As Aquilonastra iranica]); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613A3F65FF2483BF3B65A883	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613A3F66FF2485393C52ABDF.text	6233CD02613A3F66FF2485393C52ABDF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aquilonastra O'Loughlin	<div><p>Genus Aquilonastra O’Loughlin in O’Loughlin &amp; Waters, 2004</p><p>Type: Asteriscus cepheus Müller &amp; Troschel, 1842, by original designation</p><p>Diagnosis: Rays 5 (but typically 6–8 in fissiparous species), form stellate with interradial margin deepy incurved and rays discrete, broad at the base and tapering to a rounded distal end. Body surface flat actinally, high and convex abactinally. Abactinal plates in longitudinal series not perpendicular to the body margin, abactinal and actinal spinelets/spines predominantly fine, glassy, conical or sacciform in bands or tufts, numerous (typically 10–40 per plate). Papulate areas generally extensive, papulae predominantly single, large and in longitudinal series along rays. Superactinal plates present. Modified from O’Loughlin &amp; Waters, 2004.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613A3F66FF2485393C52ABDF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD02613A3F66FF2486753C64A9AB.text	6233CD02613A3F66FF2486753C64A9AB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Asteropsis carinifera (Lamarck 1816)	<div><p>Asteropsis carinifera (Lamarck 1816): 556</p><p>[As Asterias carinifera]</p><p>A single specimen was observed, but not collected, at Farsi Island, from a depth of 23m on a mixed sand/coral rubble substrate.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Price 1982a; Price 1983); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD02613A3F66FF2486753C64A9AB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261383F64FF2487C53A8FA91B.text	6233CD0261383F64FF2487C53A8FA91B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aquilonastra samyni (O'Loughlin and Rowe 2006)	<div><p>Aquilonastra samyni (O’Loughlin and Rowe, 2006): 282, figs 1, 3g –h, 6j, 10d</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Soliman 1995; Soliman 1999 (by inference); OʼLoughlin &amp; Rowe 2006 (by inference); Pourvali 2013; Pourvali 2015).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261383F64FF2487C53A8FA91B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261363F6AFF2483D33D33AD5C.text	6233CD0261363F6AFF2483D33D33AD5C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Anthenea rudis (Koehler 1910)	<div><p>Anthenea rudis (Koehler, 1910): 86, pl XI, figs 4–6.</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Clark 1938; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Price 1982a; James 1997)</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261363F6AFF2483D33D33AD5C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261363F6AFF24858438F0ABE5.text	6233CD0261363F6AFF24858438F0ABE5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aquilonastra watersi (O'Loughlin and Rowe 2006)	<div><p>Aquilonastra watersi (O’Loughlin and Rowe, 2006): 283, figs 1, 3j, 6l, 10c</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previous reported from the Persian Gulf: (Soliman 1999 (by inference); OʼLoughlin &amp; Rowe 2006; Adeli et al. 2022).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261363F6AFF24858438F0ABE5	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261363F6AFF24822A3D24AFF0.text	6233CD0261363F6AFF24822A3D24AFF0.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Pentaceraster Doderlein 1916	<div><p>Genus Pentaceraster Döderlein, 1916</p><p>Type: Asterias mammillata Audouin, 1826, by priority</p><p>Diagnosis: Since it was established, it has been noted that Pentaceraster is problematic (Döderlein 1936; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971) and particularly difficult to diagnose from the closely related genus Pentaster Döderlein, 1935 . Although we are confident in the identification of Pentaceraster mammillatus below, the following generic diagnosis should not be treated as definitive. A full taxonomic revision of the genera is outside the scope of this study.</p><p>Arms typically 5, well-developed, tapering to rounded points along distal half, interradial areas extensive. Primary radial plates typically crowned with high, conical prominences. Aboral skeleton reticular with secondary plates linking larger primary ones, leaving large well-defined pore-filled areas between, although these are not well developed as in Poraster Döderlein, 1916 . Primary plates armed with evenly spaced conical tubercles, prominent on rays and at nodes between plates. Body not completely covered in low rounded warts on primary and secondary plates as in Pentaster Döderlein, 1935 . Distal marginals and other plates covered with even sized, distinct, usually projecting granules. Actinal plates typically with some of the central granules elongated into short spines.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261363F6AFF24822A3D24AFF0	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261353F69FF2487C53B86AB48.text	6233CD0261353F69FF2487C53B86AB48.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Pentaceraster mammillatus (Audouin 1826)	<div><p>Pentaceraster mammillatus (Audouin, 1826): 209, pl. 5</p><p>[As Asterias mammilata]</p><p>Material examined: 1 specimen (ZMSBUK-1691)</p><p>R: 145mm, r: 83mm.</p><p>Description: (Figs. 35–37)</p><p>Five arms, rounded at tips and with distinctly rounded interradial arcs; disc relatively large (R /r &lt;~1.75:1) with five large conical spines at the proximal end of each radial arm axis; A row of smaller, but still conspicuous stout tubercles running the length of each mid-arm axis; inter-axis abactinal plates with smaller tubercles arranges in a honeycomb pattern across the radial axis and with the region between tubercles filled with numerous small pores; single, conspicuous madreporite; Supero- and infero-marginal plates well developed and defining body margin, generally tuberculated with a single, prominent, stout granule in the centre of each plate; single row of large actinal plates running parallel to the infero-marginals with a larger distinctive granule on the distal margin; tube feet cylindrical with central disc; colour in live specimens grey blue with red or navy blue tubercles, towards the distal end of each arm, tubercles and body wall having the same colouration.</p><p>Observations:</p><p>Occurs among sandy rubble and on shell flats near coral reef, from 8m to 16m; Recorded at Qeshm, Hengam, Larak, Kish, Lavan, Khark and Kharku Islands.</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark &amp; Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Khayat 2005; George 2012; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261353F69FF2487C53B86AB48	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261343F68FF2484DB3AB8AC2D.text	6233CD0261343F68FF2484DB3AB8AC2D.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Culcita coriacea (Muller & Troschel 1842) , Muller & Troschel 1842	<div><p>Culcita coriacea (Müller &amp; Troschel), 1842: 38</p><p>Previous reported from the Persian Gulf: New record for the Persian Gulf (Fig 38).</p><p>One observation of this species was recorded from south of Larak Island (Dr Shokri, pers. comms, specimen lost). Previous records of Culcita novaeguinea from the Persian Gulf (Adeli et al. 2022) are likely to be this species, but material was not available for examination.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261343F68FF2484DB3AB8AC2D	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
6233CD0261333F6FFF24863D3C90AA6E.text	6233CD0261333F6FFF24863D3C90AA6E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Euretaster cribrosus (von Martens 1867)	<div><p>Euretaster cribrosus (von Martens, 1867): 109, Taf. III, fig. 2</p><p>[As Pteraster cribrosus]</p><p>“Not recorded in present study.”</p><p>Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6233CD0261333F6FFF24863D3C90AA6E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Pourvali, Naser;Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari;Salamat, Negin;Hesni, Majid Askari;Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif;Carter, Hugh;Price, Andrew. R. G.	Pourvali, Naser, Aliabadi, Mohammad-Ali Salari, Salamat, Negin, Hesni, Majid Askari, Ranjbar, Mohammad Sharif, Carter, Hugh, Price, Andrew. R. G. (2025): Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key. Zootaxa 5647 (3): 201-234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.1
