Echinostrephus molaris ( Blainville, 1825 )

Filander, Zoleka & Griffiths, Charles, 2017, Illustrated guide to the echinoid (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) fauna of South Africa, Zootaxa 4296 (1), pp. 1-72 : 45

Echinostrephus molaris ( Blainville, 1825)

Fig. 49 A–B.

Echinostrephus molare: Alcock & Anderson, 1894: 193 ; Döderlein, 1910: 248; H.L. Clark, 1923: 387 –388; H.L. Clark, 1925a: 130.

Echinostrephus molaris: Mortensen, 1943: 311 –316. Pl. XXXV, Figs 1–10 . Pl. LVIII, Figs I, 2, 4, 9; Clark & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 239; Richmond, 1997: 298; Samyn, 2003: 205, Fig. 3 F; Branch et al., 2010: 236, Fig. 106.2; Schultz, 2010: 207, Figs 385–389.

Material examined. MBC-A 022256; MBC-A077882; MBC-A023312.

Identification. Test small, flattened aborally and orally, upper-side broader. Spines cylindrical, needle-shaped, longest on aboral side. Denuded test light green, sometimes with purplish tint, apical plates darker, white around mouth; spines dark purple, white around mouth.

Global maximum size. Maximum test diameter 23 mm.

Global distribution. Red Sea and East coast of Africa southward to South Africa , from Bonin Islands to Australia and Fiji Islands; from littoral zone to 50 m ( Schultz 2010).

Remarks. Distinguished from Echinometra species by test shape and spine size. E. oblonga has a more ovate test and the stout, short spines projecting sideways; on the other hand E. molaris has a circular test with slender, cylindrical spines projecting vertically.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Detail of regular echinoid: upper (Stomopneustes variolaris) and lower (Stereocidaris excavata) side, showing terminology of various body parts.

FIGURE 2. Body plan of an irregular echinoid or sand dollar (Clypeaster rarispinus), showing terminology of various body parts.

FIGURE 3. The body plan of an irregular echinoids or heart urchin (Echinocardium cordatum), showing terminology of different body parts.

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 5. Histocidaris elegans (SAMC-A 22212): A. Side view of preserved specimen. B. Apical system of preserved specimen.

FIGURE 6. Eucidaris metularia (SAMC-A 28226): A. Map showing distribution. B. Side view of preserved specimen. C. Apical system of preserved specimen.

FIGURE 7. Kionocidaris striata (MBC-A 022213): A. Map showing distribution. B. Apical system of preserved specimen.

FIGURE 8. Phyllacanthus imperialis (SAMC-A 23447): A. Map showing distribution. B. Aboral view of preserved specimen.

FIGURE 9. Goniocidaris (Goniocidaris) indica: A. Map showing distribution. B. Aboral view of preserved specimen (SAMC- A 23089). C. Side view of preserved specimen (SAMC-A 28235).

FIGURE 10. Stereocidaris alcocki (SAMC-A 28229): A. Map showing distribution. B. Side view (close-up) of preserved specimen. C. Apical system of preserved specimen.

FIGURE 49. Echinostrephus molaris A. Map showing distribution. B. Live specimen (KwaZulu-Natal).