Poraniomorpha abyssicola ( Verrill 1895 )

Mah, Christopher L. & Foltz, David W., 2014, New taxa and taxonomic revisions to the Poraniidae (Valvatacea; Asteroidea) with Comments on Feeding Biology, Zootaxa 3795 (3), pp. 327-372 : 351

Poraniomorpha abyssicola ( Verrill 1895)

Figures 7 A–C, F

Rhegaster abyssicola . Verrill 1895: 140

Poraniomorpha abyssicola . Grieg 1907: 42

Poraniomorpha (Poraniomorpha) abyssicola . Clark, A. M. & Downey, M.E. 1993: 215

Taxonomic comments. This species is distinguished from P. t u m i d a and P. bidens by the presence of two to three inferomarginal spines present along the actinolateral fringe ( Fig. 7 B). The abactinal surface is covered by evenly distributed, tiny granuliform spinules ( Fig. 7 F). The actinal surface is covered by an abundance of short, pointed spinelets (length=>1.0 mm) ( Fig. 7 E). A single curved furrow spine is present in addition to four or five irregularly arranged subambulacral spines.

Occurrence. North Atlantic (west side) from latitude of Cape May to Cape Charles (c. 38.5–37°N), Hudson Caynon 2976–3740 m.

Material examined. USNM 8140 (Holotype) Virginia Beach, Virginia, North Atlantic Ocean. 2995–3740 m, Coll. R/V Albatross 10 Sept. 1884 (1 dry spec. R=3.5, r=1.4); USNM E 16102 Rise off North East of Hudson Canyon, New Jersey, North Atlantic, 38º25” 06’N, 70º 52” 30’W, 2976–2995 m. Coll. R/V Chain 5 July 1975 (2 dry specs. R=4.4, r=1.6; R=3.2, r=1.3)

Figures

FIGURE 7. Poraniomorpha spp. A. USNM E 16102 Poraniomorpha abyssicola, abactinal (R = 4.4). B. Actinal surface. C. Actinal close up showing furrow spines, actinal spination. D. USNM E 05361 Poraniomorpha tumidus, abactinal surface (R = 3.6). E. Actinal surface. F. Close up of papillate spinules on surface of Poraniomorpha abyssicola (USNM E 16102). Scale Bar = 0.5 cm. G. Close up of spinule distribution on P. tumida (USNM E 05361). Scale Bar = 0.5 cm.