Chaetodiadema africanum H.L. Clark, 1925c

Filander, Zoleka & Griffiths, Charles, 2017, Illustrated guide to the echinoid (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) fauna of South Africa, Zootaxa 4296 (1), pp. 1-72 : 28

Chaetodiadema africanum H.L. Clark, 1925c

Fig. 26 A–C.

Astropyga radiata: Bell, 1904: 168 –169.

Chaetodiadema africanum H.L. Clark, 1924: 2 –3. Pl. I; H.L. Clark, 1925a: 49 –50; Clark & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 224 –225; Schultz, 2011: 1131, Fig. 1989.

Material examined. MBC-A077778; MBC-A077779; SAMC-A23717.

Identification. Test yellow-greenish; aboral interambulacra naked, v-shaped, blue iridescent spots in live animal, appearing as dark marks in preserved specimen, but yellow on cleaned test.

Global maximum size. Maximum test diameter 45 mm.

Global distribution. Endemic to East coast of South Africa, at 85–325 m depth ( Clark & Courtman-Stock 1976, Schultz 2011).

Remarks. May be mistaken for Astropyga radiata , but differs in test shape. C. africanum is flattened orally and aborally; whereas upper side of A. radiata is more convex. Color also distinguishes the two species, where adult A. radiata is red with blue spots on naked interambulacra zones and adult C. africanum pinkish. The genital plates and enlarged madreporite extending into the interambulacral area may also distinguish A. radiata from C. africanum .

Figures

FIGURE 26. Chaetodiadema africanum. A. Map showing distribution. B. Aboral view of adult preserved specimen (MBC- 077779). C. Aboral view of juvenile preserved specimen (SAMC-A 23717).