Salmacis bicolor L. Agassiz

Filander, Zoleka & Griffiths, Charles, 2017, Illustrated guide to the echinoid (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) fauna of South Africa, Zootaxa 4296 (1), pp. 1-72 : 36-37

Salmacis bicolor L. Agassiz in L. Agassiz & Desor, 1846

Fig. 37 A–C.

Salmacis bicolor: H.L. Clark, 1923: 382 ; H.L. Clark, 1924: 5; H.L. Clark, 1925a: 84 –85; Clark & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 231; Richmond, 1997: 296; Samyn, 2003: 209, Fig. 4 C; Branch et al., 2010: 234, Fig. 105.4; Schultz, 2010: 162, Fig. 300.

Material examined. MBC-A 022231; MBC-A023323; MBC-A027708; MBC-A027736; MBC-A077817; MBC- A077815; MBC-A077813; MBC-A077816.

Identification. Test sub-conically raised; apical zone bare, without tubercles except those circling periproct. Spines brightly banded red and yellow.

Global maximum size. Maximum test diameter 100 mm.

Global distribution. East coast region of South Africa, East Africa to Red Sea ( Clark & Rowe, 1971) and Ceylon to Java and Phillipines, from littoral to 120 m ( Schultz 2010).

Remarks. Closely resembles Salmaciella erythracis , but differs in test shape, apical disc and appearance of ambulacral tubercles. S. eryhthracis has a low test, anal opening eccentrically positioned towards periproctal margin and ambulacral tubercles reduced on alternating plates towards the aboral side; whilst S. bicolor has a conically test, a periproct surrounded by tubercles and large tubercles disappearing towards the apical area.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Tubercle types: A. perforated and non-crenulated (Stereocidaris alcocki). B. non-perforated and non-crenulated (Stomopneustes variolaris). C. perforated and crenulated (Chaetodiadema africanum).

FIGURE 37. Salmacis bicolor. A. Map showing distribution. B. Live specimen (KwaZulu-Natal). C. Preserved test of juvenile (MBC- 077814).