A new asterinid genus from the Indo-West Pacific region, including five new species (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Asterinidae)
Memoirs of Museum Victoria Vol 62 (2) p. 181–189 (2005)
Abstract
A new genus of asterinid asteroid, Ailsastra gen. nov., and five new species, Ailsastra achituvi, sp. nov., A. amezianeae, sp. nov., A. booneni sp. nov., A. eleaumei sp. nov., A. paulayi sp. nov. (type species), are described from the Indo-West Pacific. Asterina heteractis H.L. Clark, 1938 is reassigned from Aquilonastra O’Loughlin, 2004 to Ailsastra gen. nov. The external morphological characters distinguishing Ailsastra from other genera of Asterinidae are the distinctively small oral plates and the variably sunken regular carinal series of plates. Internally, superambulacral and superactinal plates, where investigated, are known to be lacking in three species, including the type species. A key to the six species and a distribution map of type localities are provided.
Citation
O'Loughlin, P.M. & Rowe, F.W.E., 2005. A new asterinid genus from the Indo-West Pacific region, including five new species (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Asterinidae). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 62: 181-189. http://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2005.62.6
PUBLICATION DATE: 31 DECEMBER 2005