ASTEROIDEA 93 



Siissbach unci Breckner, which has even been raised to the rank 

 of a separate genus, Culcitopsis Verrill. But there is hardly any 

 doubt that this is simply a synonym of Poraniomorpha. 



It appears to feed, partly at least, on detritus, which is carried 

 to the mouth by ciliary currents. Development unknown. 



Fig. 53. — Poraniomorpha hispida. 1. Dorsal. 2. Oral side. 

 Nat. size. (From Danmark's Fauna.) 



In British seas this species is known from the Faroe 

 Channel, the Lousy Bank, and off S.W. Ireland (" Porcupine ", 

 " Triton ", '' Helga "). It is further distributed from the Skager- 

 rak to Northern Norway, and from S. Greenland to 35° N. along 

 the American coast. Bathymetrical distribution ca. 90-1170 m. 



3. Marginaster Perrier. 

 (Syn. Cheilaster Sladen.) 



Disk small, flattened ; rays very short, body pentagonal. 

 Dorsal side with scattered, short, conical sj^ines. Marginals 

 low, but distinct, with spines forming a fringe. 



Onty one species known from the British seas, but possibly 

 another may occur there also, viz. M. pentagonus Perrier (see 

 below). 



1. Marginaster capreensis (Gasco). (Fig. 54.) 



(Syn . Cheilaster fimbriatus Sladen ; (?) Marginaster 

 pentagonus Perrier.) 



Spines of upper marginal plates, when present, shorter than 

 those of lower marginals. Oral interradial areas with a few small 

 spines or wholly naked ; generally with distinct radiating furrows. 

 Adambulacral plates with one furrow spine and two on the outer 



