Astropecten indicus

Astropecten indicus (Döderlein, 1888): 828, Pl. XXXI, fig. 2a–d Material examined: 13 specimens (ZMSBUK-1667/1 _ ZMSBUK-1667/13) Largest sampled specimen in this study: R: 52mm, r: 15mm. Description: (Figs. 11–14) Five (occasionally six) arms, triangular in abactinal aspect, disk relatively reduced compared to Astropecten hemprichi (R /r 3.5:1); Abactinal surface covered in small, tightly packed paxillae, those of the arm arranged in fine rows perpendicular to the axis of the ray; madreporite conspicuous, not covered by paxillae; body margin defined by supero-marginal plates each of which bear a small conical spine on the distal margin; infero-marginal plates with a relatively long spine extending to form a conspicuous fringe. No prominent secondary spines on infero-marginals, but occasionally one or two smaller spines present. Remainder of plate covered in numerous elongate granules; terminal disc in tube feet absent, feet instead tapering to distinctive point. Colour of abactinal surface in live specimens greyish to pale yellow with prominent dark bank along the axis of each arms extending to the centre of the disc. Observations: Astropecten indicus shares the same ecological niche within the Gulf as A. pugnax. Found in sandy and muddy areas from intertidal to 25 m. Recorded in the present study at Hendijan, Genaveh, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Strait of Hormuz. All specimens collected were sampled by shrimp trawler. Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark & Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Price 1983; George 2012; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.