Pentaceraster mammillatus

Pentaceraster mammillatus (Audouin, 1826): 209, pl. 5 [As Asterias mammilata] Material examined: 1 specimen (ZMSBUK-1691) R: 145mm, r: 83mm. Description: (Figs. 35–37) Five arms, rounded at tips and with distinctly rounded interradial arcs; disc relatively large (R /r <~1.75:1) with five large conical spines at the proximal end of each radial arm axis; A row of smaller, but still conspicuous stout tubercles running the length of each mid-arm axis; inter-axis abactinal plates with smaller tubercles arranges in a honeycomb pattern across the radial axis and with the region between tubercles filled with numerous small pores; single, conspicuous madreporite; Supero- and infero-marginal plates well developed and defining body margin, generally tuberculated with a single, prominent, stout granule in the centre of each plate; single row of large actinal plates running parallel to the infero-marginals with a larger distinctive granule on the distal margin; tube feet cylindrical with central disc; colour in live specimens grey blue with red or navy blue tubercles, towards the distal end of each arm, tubercles and body wall having the same colouration. Observations: Occurs among sandy rubble and on shell flats near coral reef, from 8m to 16m; Recorded at Qeshm, Hengam, Larak, Kish, Lavan, Khark and Kharku Islands. Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Mortensen 1940; Clark & Rowe 1971; Basson et al. 1977; Price 1982a; Khayat 2005; George 2012; Adeli et al. 2022); present study.