Astropecten Gray 1840

Genus Astropecten Gray, 1840 Type: Asterias aranciaca Linnaeus, 1758, by subsequent designation (Fisher 1908) Diagnosis: Usually five arms, merging with the disc to produce rounded inter-radial arc. Supero-marginals usually smaller than infero-marginals, but much larger than, and distinct from, adjacent abactinall paxillae. Infero-marginal plates with irregularly distributed, horse-shoe shaped tubercles bearing conspicuous erect or appressed spines fringing the ambitus. Actinal interradial areas small, restricted to disc, usually only in a single series. Adambulacral furrow with three spines, only ambulacrals, superambulacrals and madreporite unarmoured with spines, spinules or granules. Modified from Clark and Downey, 1992.