Neoferdina offreti ( Koehler 1910 )

Mah, Christopher L., 2017, Overview of the Ferdina - like Goniasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) including a new subfamily, three new genera and fourteen new species, Zootaxa 4271 (1), pp. 1-72 : 58-62

Neoferdina offreti ( Koehler 1910)

Figure 20 A–E

Koehler 1910: 143 (part); Fisher 1919: 371; H.L. Clark 1921: 58; A.H. Clark 1954: 255 (as Ferdina ) Djakonov 1930: 248, pl.13, fig. 6; Livingstone 1936: 385; (as Neoferdina intermedia ) Livingstone 1931: 307; A.H. Clark 1954: 255; 1967: 191; Clark & Rowe 1971: 65 (in key); Jangoux 1973: 778; Marsh 1977:

263; Jangoux & Aziz 1984: 867; Mooseleitner 1990: 327; Chao 1999: 413; Rowe & Richmond 2004: 3285; Conand et al.

2016: 54, 56 (as Neoferdina)

Jangoux 1973: 784 (as Neoferdina mahei )

Occurrence. Japan (Okinawa) ; New Caledonia, southwest Pacific Ocean, Andaman Islands , Seychelles, Mascarenes, Maldives, Comoro Islands, Scattered Islands ( Mozambique Channel, Indian Ocean ). 0–66 m

Taxonomic comments. This species has historically (see Koehler 1910, Jangoux, 1973) been identified based on the transverse series of bald, convex plates present on each arm surface in conjunction with the regular series of superomarginal plates present along the arm ( Fig. 20 A–D). However, further sampling of variation (e.g., Coleman 2007, specimens cited) and even early references (e..g, Livingstone 1931) makes it clear that transverse, bald convex plates are clearly present in N. cumingi thus undermining its basis as a unique identifying character for N. offreti . One character, the homogeneously sized marginal plate series, remains to differentiate this species from Neoferdina cumingi . As indicated above, however, Neoferdina cumingi , is itself highly variable. It is unclear if N. offreti should simply be synonymized or if it represents a possible cryptic lineage present within N. cumingi .

Based on the alternating superomarginals and the absence of transverse bald abactinal plates, the species identified as N. offreti by Purwati and Lane (2004) is misidentified and should be correctly identified as Neoferdina cumingi .

Two specimens from the Indian Ocean, the Comoros (CASIZ 104468) and the Maldives (CASIZ 104461) show irregularly dense aggregations of strongly convex and closely abutted bald, plates on the arms.

Material examined. Pacific Ocean. MNHN-IE-2013-6888; Noumea , New Caledonia, 19°03.8’S, 163°6.3’E, 80 m; Coll. Richer deForges, VAUBAN ORSTOM St. 495; 1 dry spec. R=2.9, r=1.0 . CASIZ 108862 ; Vava’u group, channel between Kapa Island and Nuku Island, Tonga , 0– 1 m .; Coll. R. Van Syoc; 1 wet spec. R=1.3, r=0.4. USNM E16514; Angulpelu Reef, Palau, “scuba depth”; Coll. R.S. Rideout, June 27 1975; 1 dry spec. R=2.6, r=0.7. Indian Ocean . CASIZ 104468 ; In front of “ Hotel Coelacanth ”, Grand Comore Island, Comoro Islands; Coll. J.E. McCosker; 1 wet spec. R=2.2, r=0.7 . CASIZ 104461 ; Male Atoll , Male Island, Maldive Islands, 8–10 m ; Coll. A. J. Ferreira; 1 wet spec. R=2.8, r=1.2. MNHN-IE-2013-6605; Seychelles, 60–65 m.; Coll . ORSTOM st. 68, 21 Sept 1980; 1 dry spec. R=3.6, r=1.3. MNHN-IE-2013-6653; Seychelles, 55–60 m ; Coll. ORSTOM, st. 21, 9 June 1980; 2 dry specs. R=2.4, r=0.8; R=2.3, r=0.7. MNHN-IE-2013-6798; Seychelles, 51 m .; Coll. ORSTOM st. 31; 1 dry spec. R=2.9, r=0.9. USNM 13721 ; Shallow reef, Kendikolu Island, 5°56’57”N, 73°23’42”E; Coll. F. Ziesenhenne, “skin diving”; 1 dry spec. R=2.5 r=0.7.

Neoferdina oni n. sp.

Figure 21 A–G

Gosliner et al. 1996: 262 (as Neoferdina glyptodisca )

Kuiter and Debelius 2009: 577 (as Neoferdina cumingi )

Etymology. The species epithet oni , is named for a type of Japanese demon which bears two devil-like spines, alluding to the two spines present on each superomarginal plate. Name is held in apposition.

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished primarily based on the two (mostly paired), or rarely one to three, thorn-like spinelets and corresponding light-colored granular protrusions, present on either end of each marginal plate as well as prominent nubbin-like spinelets on the abactinal surface. Neoferdina oni n. sp. is also significantly more stellate with more elongate arms. These light-colored protrusions are present even when the spines are absent or reduced but can be somewhat irregular in shape.

Comments. The nubbin-like spinelets on the abactinal surface are not unique to Neoferdina n. sp. as they are also observed on a significant number of specimens of Neoferdina cumingi . However in N. cumingi , spinelets are limited to the convex plates forming the transverse and carinal series and are absent from the marginal plate series.

Occurrence. Komodo region , Indonesia ; Verdes, Camiguin, Balut, and Lubang Island , Philippines , Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands , Palau. 9.1–106.7 m (but possibly down to 200).

Description. Body strongly stellate (R/r= 3.5–5.5), arms elongate, triangular, interradial arcs weakly curved ( Fig. 21 A, B). Body surface completely covered by granulated tegument.

Abactinal plates mostly round to polygonal with rounded edges becoming more irregular in size and shape on arms ( Fig. 21 A, B). Plates smallest on central region of disk in the primary circlet region, bounded by enlarged primary plates present in each interradius. Nubbin-like spinelets irregularly and discontinuously present along central radii, not necessarily along carinal plates ( Figs. 21 B–D). Spinelets also occur in four to six weakly defined, sometimes incomplete, transverse rows along arm (e.g. Fig. 21 D). These rows include one to three pointed spinelets arranged in irregular order with some forming transverse rows but others presenting themselves in transverse and perpendicular (along radial line) series ( Fig. 21 B). Surface of each spinelet bare. Base of each spinelet covered by abactinal surface granulation. Some smaller individuals with low, featureless, convex plates. In these individuals, rather than spinelets, areas with raised ridge-like plate series present transversely across arm. Granular tegument densest in interradial areas adjacent to superomarginals, obscuring boundaries between plates. Glassy bosses not observed on plates underlying granular tegument. Papulae absent from interradial regions adjacent to superomarginals, present on disk and arm regions; four to six around each plate. Anus centrally located, covered by two to four flattened, blunt spines. Madreporite round in outline, convex, flanked by three large abactinal plates.

Marginal plates 16 to 20 in each interradius (arm tip to arm tip) with 1:1 correspondence between superomarginals and inferomarginal plates ( Fig. 21 A). Distalmost superomarginals, up to two pairs abutted over midline. Superomarginal bare patches are enlarged in these distalmost plates, with bare region extending over superomarginal surface. Plate outline elongate (L>W), quadrate in shape. Superomarginal and inferomarginal plates on arms are elongate, and quadrate in shape, each bearing an elliptical to trapezoid-shaped bald patch surrounded by granular tegument with paired spinelets extending from a concave intrusion onto the ends of each bald patch ( Figs. 21 C, E). First superomarginals in interradius each with more circular bald patch. In the smallest specimen (CASIZ 202395, R= 1.4 cm), the bare spots are more symmetrical and round in outline. Granules cover remainder of marginal plate surface. Granular tegument is densest covering contact regions between superomarginal and inferomarginal series. One to six nubbin like spinelets present on most superomarginal plates and distalmost inferomarginal plates.( Figs. 21 B–D). When present on superomarginals, spinelets, one to three occur on both proximal and/or distal ends on either side of the plate ( Fig. 21 C).When only two are present they occur on both ends of the plate ( Fig. 21 C). Spinelets occur individually on interradial superomarginals but in pairs on subsequent superomarginal plates along arms. Some individuals variably lack nubbin-like spinelets on marginal plates, these have a bare space with strongly developed protrusions from the surrounding granular tegument. On inferomarginals, spines occur on distalmost two to three plates. These spinelets always present on inferomarginals in individuals as small as R= 1.4 cm even when spines on superomarginals are absent. Inferomarginals each with an elliptical-shaped dark bald patch present with smallest ones present interradially ( Fig. 21 F). Terminal plate diamond shaped, smooth surface with pointed tip.

Actinal surface composed of only two complete series in addition to the adambulacral series and a short, irregular series adjacent to the inferomarginal plates ( Fig. 21 G). Plates quadrate to irregular polygonal with round edges in some. Granulate tegument covers actinal surface obscuring boundary between plates. Granules present on actinal series parallel to adambulacral plate series are exceptionally coarse, especially distally forming pointed spinelet-like nubbins similar to those on the marginal plates.

Furrow spines, blunt and short, two or three per plate, present in irregular series along tube foot groove. One spine in some individuals slightly offset to the other two. Remainder of adambulacral plate surface covered by coarse granules identical to those on remainder of actinal surface. Oral plate with three to four furrow spines and one spine projecting intro the mouth.

Living images of Philippines CASIZ 207269 with purple/red arm and disk. Disk central region and radial regions, dark red. Arms more purple. Superomarginal plates yellow with dark black to grey bare regions on the center of each plate. Transverse spine series and on superomarginal plates white. Transverse spination with lighter colored white highlights. An Indonesian specimen (no specimen collection) showed a deep-purple disk and arms with yellow-white superomarginal surfaces and dark grey-black bald regions. Transverse and superomarginal spination white with strongly convex purple disk and arm plates.

Additional images of this species have been published in Gosliner et al. (1996: 262) as N. gylptodisca and by Kuiter and Debelius (2009: 577) as N. cumingi from Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively. Both images of living individuals from the Philippines are identical in color with deep purple/pink plates with yellow marginal plates bearing dark bare regions. Shallow water individuals had more weakly colored marginals and more deep purple coloration versus those from deeper water which were more red. The underside of the figured paratype was yellow with dark red/orange regions proximally on each actinal intermediate region. The Indonesian individual figured by Gosliner et al. (1996) was similar but lighter in color with white to pink highlights.

Material examined. Holotype: CASIZ 207330; Philippines; 1 wet spec. R= 5.1, r= 1.4 (3 arms with broken tips). Paratypes: CASIZ 207269 . Boulders dive site, Verdes Island, Philippine Islands, 13°30’24”N 120°52’38”E, 46–60 m; Coll. E. Jessup, 10 Apr 2015; 1 wet spec, R=3.5, r=1.2 . CASIZ 202395 ; “ Deep Wall ” Occidental Mindoro, Lubang Island, Philippine Islands, 13.79°N 120.10°E, 9.1 m.; Coll. R. Van Syoc; 1 wet spec. R=1.4, r=0.4 . CASIZ 309050 ; Philippines; 2 wet specs. R= 5.4, r= 1.4; R= 5.6, r= 1.6 (one arm folded) . CASIZ 218852 ; Camiguin Island, Mindanao , ~ 80 m; Coll. taken with trawl; 1 dry spec. R=2.6 r=0.7 . CASIZ 218853 ; Balut Island , Philippines, ~ 200 m; Coll. tangle net;1 dry spec. R=3.2 r=0.8.

Figures

FIGURE 20. Neoferdina offreti A. & B. Abactinal surface. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 6605, Scale Bar = 5.0 mm. C. & D. USNM E 16514 Scale Bar = 4.0 mm. Abactinal Surface, complete and closeup. E. MNHN-IE- 2013 - 6888. Scale Bar = 4.0 mm. Detail on abactinal surface of arm showing variation of convex and transverse plates.

FIGURE 21. Neoferdina oni n. sp. A – C: Paratype, CASIZ 207269 Scale Bar = 6.0 mm. A. Abactinal surface. B. Abactinal surface showing transverse arm plates, spines on superomarginals. C. Spines on superomarginal plates. D – F: Paratype, CASIZ 218853. Scale Bar = 5.0 mm. D. Variation in abactinal arm spination. E. Lateral view showing spination on abactinal and marginal plates. F. Actinal surface.