World Journal of Zoology 8 (4): 415-416, 2013 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2013.8.4.2937

New Report of Sea Star, Aquilonastra samyni (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), from the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf

Naser Pourvali

Khoramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khoramshahr, Iran,

Abstract: Recent collections around Hormuz Islands in the Strait of Hormuz reveal the presence of Aquilonastra samyni, which was not reported before.

Key words: Echinodermata Sea star Identification Aquilonastra samyni Persian Gulf

INTRODUCTION Hormuz Island in the Strait of Hormuz (Fig. 1) and preserved in 70% ethanol. To identify the samples, valid The first report of echinoderm from the Persian Gulf identification keys were used [2, 5, 7 and 8]. Identification dates back to 1758 when Echinodiscus auritus was was done by using morphological diagnostic characters. reported [1]. Many researchers have reported Asterina burtoni from the Persian Gulf [2, 3, 4 and 5]. However, this RESULTS AND DISCUTION species was recently renamed as Aquilonatra iranica [6, 7]. Systematics: Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Asteroidea MATERIALS AND METHODS Order: Valvatida Family: Astrinidae (Gray 1840) One specimens of the sea star was collected during Genus: Aquilonastra (O'Loughlin and Waters 2004) intertidal surveys while walking on intertidal area in west Specie: Aquilonastra samyni (O'Loughlin and Rowe 2006)

Fig. 1: Red mark show the location of Aquilonastra samyni in the Persian Gulf

Corresponding Author: Naser Pourvali, Khoramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khoramshahr, Iran. Tel: +98-938-6257221. 415 World J. Zool., 8 (4): 415-416, 2013

Fig. 2: Aquilonastra samyni, live specimen, A abactinal view, B actinal view

Description: Aquilonastra samyni 2. Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe, 1971. Monograph of Asterina cephea var. Iranica [1] fig. 3 pl. 1, fig. 4-6; shallow-water Indo-west pacific echinoderms, Asterina burtoni [2] pl. 9 fig. 4; London, British Museum (Natural History), pp: 238. Asterina burtoni [4] fig. 14; 3. Price, A.R.G., 1982. Echinoderm of Saudi Arabia. Aquilonastra samyni [8] figs 1, 3g, h, 6j, 10d; Comparison between Echinoderm faunas of Persian Gulf, SE Arabia, Red Sea, Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez. Material Examined: One sample from intertidal area of the Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 4: 3-21. west of Hormuz Island, R= 21mm, r=8mm 4. Price, A.R.G., 1983. Echinoderms of Saudi Arabia. Echinoderm of the Gulf Coast of Saudi Arabia, Fauna Diagnosis: Ray predominantly 5, slight taper, rounded of Saudi Arabia, 5: 28-108. distally, single conspicuous madreporite, gonopore 5. Price, A.R.G., 1981. Studies on the echinoderm fauna abactinal, up to 30 spinelets across abactinal plate, of the western Gulf. Journal of Natural History, spinelets small, short, thick, conical to columnar, 15: 1-15. supermarginal plate smaller than infromarginal plate, spine 6. O'Loughlin, P.M., J.M. Waters and M.S. Roy, 2003. A per actinal plate up to: oral 8, sub oral 6, furrow 7, molecular and morphological review of the asterinid, subambulacral 8, actinal interradial 14, color: red, brown, Patiriella gunnii (Gray) (Echinodermata: brownish red. Asteroidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria, 60(2): 181-195. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7. O'Loughlin, P.M. and J.M. Waters, 2004. A molecular and morphological revision of genera of Asterinidae The author is grateful to Dr. Rezai, Assistant (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Memoirs of Museum Professor, Iranian National Center for Oceanography and Victoria, 61(1): 1-40. to Mr. J. Kavousi for their valuable helps during the 8. O'Loughlin, P.M. and F.W.E. Rowe, 2006. A progress present investigations. systematic revision of the asterinid genus Aquilonastra O'Loughlin 2004 (Echinodermata: REFERENCES Asteroidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 63(2): 257-287. 1. Mortensen, T.H. and T. Gislen, 1940. Echinoderm from the Iranian Gulf. In: Danish Scientific Investigation in Iran. part II.Einar Munksgaard, Copenhagen, pp: 55-137.

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