Fromia schultzei Döderlein 1910

Mah, Christopher L., 2018, New genera, species and occurrence records of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) from the Indian Ocean, Zootaxa 4539 (1), pp. 1-116 : 38-39

Fromia schultzei Döderlein 1910

Figure 14 A–D

Döderlein 1910: 249 (as Fromia ) H.L. Clark 1923: 276; Mortensen 1933: 247; A.M. Clark & Courtman-Stock 1976: 69; Jones 2008: 176–177; Branch et al. 2010: 226; King & Fraser 2014: 340–341 (as Austrofromia )

Diagnosis. A species of Fromia characterized by well-developed, mound-like plates which rise above the body surface ( Fig. 14B ), especially along the disk and radial regions along the arm. Surface, marginal and actinal surface covered by coarse, continuous granulation. Marginal plates only weakly convex, round to quadrate in outline ( Fig. 14A, B . Furrow spines blunt, two per plate with a single row of two blunt, subambulacral spines followed by a second irregular series of two or three blunt spines which are only about half the height of the other subambulacrals ( Fig. 14D ). Papulae extend from abactinal to actinal surface.

Comments. Fromia schulzei was placed into the genus Austrofromia by H.L. Clark (1923) to accommodate two species, the Australian Fromia polypora and the South African Fromia schulzei . Fromia polypora also occurs in the Indian Ocean, on the west side of Australia.

Rowe (1988) synonymized Austrofromia with Fromia without explanation. H.L. Clark’s (1923) original criterion for establishing Austrofromia seems based on the distinctly coarse granulation of the two species included. There seems to be at least some character justification for separation of Fromia polypora and Fromia schulzei as related taxa, however, treatment of these concepts is beyond the scope of this treatment and, for now, I retain Rowe & Gates’ (1995) treatment of Austrofromia as a synonym as a more conservative taxonomic measure, but future assessments will be required.

Specimens observed herein represent the first occurrence of Fromia schultzei outside of South African waters. Individuals studied were consistent with specimen descriptions as outlined by Clark & Courtman-Stock (1976).

Occurrence. False Bay and south coast of South Africa, Madagascar 4– 30 m.

Material Examined. IE-2007-4954 Cap Ranavalona , Bevava, Madagascar. 25°4’23.2788S, 46° 57’7.9812”E, 4– 5 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE TV 13 , May 8, 2010. 2 wet specs. R=5.4 r=1.1, R=3.7 r=0.8 . IE-2007-4957 West Point Evatra , south Madagascar, 24° 59' 32.28'' S; 47° 5' 34.134'' E, 15–17 m Coll. ATIMO VATAE TR 16 . 1 wet spec. R=5.5 r=1.2 . IE-2007-4977 Off Flacourt Lighthouse , south Madagascar, 25° 1' 16.1976'' S, 47° 0' 28.7964'' E, Coll . ATIMO VATAE TV 2 1 wet spec. R=2.0 r=0.5 . IE-2007-5009 South Cape Antsurabe , South Madagascar, 25° 2' 50.9388'' S; 46° 59' 33.6588'' E, 6– 12 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE TR 9 . 1 wet spec. R=4.7 r=0.9 . IE-2007-5121 Des Galions Bay , south Madagascar, 25° 9' 14.1012'' S; 46° 45' 24.3612'' E, 3–8 m, Coll . ATIMO VATAE TA-03 13 May 2010. 1 wet spec. R=5.1 r=1.1 . IE-2007-5031 Cape Ranavalona , south Madagascar, 25° 4' 57'' S; 46° 57' 44.5788'' E, 7– 16 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE TR 12 . 1 wet spec. R=2.8 r=0.8 . IE-2007-5065 Point Evatra , south Madagascar, 24° 59' 38.3964'' S; 47° 6' 1.7388'' E, 4– 19 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE TA48 1 wet spec. R=2.9 r=0.65 . IE-2007-5066 East bay of Galions , Madagascar 25°9’26.5788’S, 46°45’20.8188’E, 6– 13 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE, TA 60 , 14 June 2010. 1 wet spec. R=5.2 r=1.3 . IE-2007-5110 . Galions Bay , Madagascar. 25°9’27.6012” S, 46° 45’20.5164” E, 7– 14 m. Coll . ATIMO VATAE TA 0 1. 2 wet spec. R=5.6 r=1.4 R=4.8 r=0.8.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Fromia schultzei Specimen IE-2007-4954. R=5.4, r=1.1 cm. A. Abactinal surface. Scale bar=1.0 cm. B. Closeup of abactinal arm plates and papulae. Scale bar=0.3 cm. C. Actinal surface. Scale bar=1.0 cm. D. Closeup showing actinal papulae and spination on furrow and adambulacral plates. Scale bar=0.3 cm.