INDIAN OCEAN ECHINODERMS 



77 



Collection sites. E Klah, Pula We, Sumatra. 



Habitat and depth. Subtidal rock, 2m. 



Remarks. This single specimen (d.d. c. 11.3 mm, distorted) 

 exhibits two of the described colour forms for the species. At the 

 centre of the dorsal surface of the disc is a cream spot (c. 1.1 mm 

 diameter). This is surrounded by an irregular ring (c. 2.2 mm wide) 

 which is uniformly dusky/grey with darker spots. The remainder of 

 the disc dorsally and ventrally is reticulated dusky/grey on a cream 

 background. 



31. Ophiocoma erinaceus Miiller & Troschel, 1842 



SEE. Clark & Rowe, 1971: 1 14; 1 1 9; Clark & Courtman Stock, 

 1976: 173; Sloan era/, 1979: 106; Bussarawit & Rowe, 1985: 1 (as 

 O. similanensis n. sp.); Rowe & Gates, 1995: 387. 



Material. 801212A/3 (1), 810422B/3 (10), 810427B/1 (1), 

 810427D/5 (1), 810428C/6 (2 juveniles), 810428E/5 (1 juvenile), 

 810430A/3 (2), 810501F/1 (1), 810501G/5 (3), 810501G/6 (2), 

 810501K71 (2). 



Collection sites. Chetlat, Lakshadweep (Laccadive) Islands; 

 Ug Seukundo, Ug Bau, Lho Pria Laot, Ug Murung, Ug Tapa Gadja, 

 Pula We, Sumatra. 



Habitat and depth. Coral reef, coral conglomerate, coral rubble, 

 subtidal rock; 2-25 m. 



Remarks. This is the commonest species of Ophiocoma col- 

 lected. The collection comprises some 26 specimens, ranging in size 

 from d.d. = 3.6-22.2 mm, which show clearly both colour changes 

 and development of disc granulation with growth. Juveniles up to 

 d.d. = c. 5 mm bear no granules and are usually marked radially 

 across each radial shield with a cream line, as described by Bussarawit 

 & Rowe (1985) for their new species O. similanensis. By d.d. = 5.7 

 mm granules are developed at the centre of the disc and along 10 

 radiating lines to the edge of the disc where an irregular line of 

 granules is developed around the periphery joining these radiating 

 lines and thus leaving bare the dorsal interradial and radial portions 

 of the disc. By d.d. = c. 1 1 mm granules are developed over the 

 interradial but not radial regions of the disc, but granules are still not 

 developed ventrally. By d.d. = 12.5 mm granules cover the whole 

 surface of the disc except for the radial shields which remain bare, 

 while granules begin to extend in a wedge shape, on the ventral side 

 of the disc. This arrangement may remain in specimens up to d.d. = 

 14 mm but generally from about d.d. = > 13 mm the radial shields 

 become covered by granules. In specimens up to d.d. = 12.5 mm 

 some central and peripheral granules may be more prominent by 

 their slightly more elongate shape, but in larger specimens granules 

 are more evenly rounded and more or less evenly sized. The cream 

 colour pattern disappears with increased d.d. and is absent in speci- 

 mens with d.d. > 1 1 mm. 



It is very clear that Ophiocoma similanensis Bussarawit & Rowe, 

 1985 is based on juvenile specimens of O. erinaceus, to the syn- 

 onymy of which O. similanensis is herein committed. 



32. Ophiocoma pica Miiller & Troschel 



See. Devaney, 1970: 25; Clark & Rowe, 1971: 86; 1 18; Clark & 

 Courtman Stock, 1976: 173; Sloan etal, 1979: 106; Rowe & Gates, 

 1995: 387. 



Material. 8012I2A/3 (1). 



Collection sites. Chetlat, Lakshadweep (Laccadive) islands. 



Habitat and depth. Coral reef; 20 m. 



33. Ophiocoma pusilla (Brock, 1888) 



See. Devaney, 1970: 25; Clark & Rowe, 1971: 86; 118; Clark & 

 Courtman Stock, 1976: 174; Sloan era/, 1979: 106; Rowe & Gates, 

 1995: 388. 



Material. 810422E/4 (1), 810425C/2 (1), 810430A/21c (1), 

 810501E/3 (1), 810501K/4 (1). 



Collection sites. N Klah island, Sabang Bay, Ug Seukundo, 

 Pula We, Sumatra. 



Habitat and depth. Coral/sand, coral conglomerate, coral reef; 

 2-10 m. 



Remarks. The 5 specimens range in size from d.d. = 3-7.5 mm. 

 The characteristic, enlarged, tissue-covered arm spines (see Clark & 

 Rowe, 1971 ) appear on specimens from d.d. > 5 mm. 



34. Ophiomastix annulosa (Lamarck, 1816) 



SEE. Clark & Rowe, 1971: 86; Rowe & Gates, 1995: 390. 



Material. 810123A/3 (1), 810212A/3 (2), 810213A/4 (1). 



COLLECTION sites. Kakoni rocks, Pigeon Island & Unawatuna, 

 Galle, Tangalla, Sri Lanka. 



Habitat and depth. Coral reef, subtidal rock/coral, subtidal 

 rock; 3-10 m. 



35. Ophiomastix caryophyllata Liitken, 1869 



See. Clark&Rowe, 1971: 86; 120; Cherbonnier & Guille, 1978: 

 185; Rowe & Gates, 1995: 390. 



Material. 810425C/1 (2), 810428C/7 (7 2 ), 810430A/21b (2). 



COLLECTION sites. E Sabang Bay, Ug Bau, Ug Seukundo, Pula 

 We, Sumatra 



Habitat and depth. Coral reef, coral/rock; 3-10 m. 



Family OPHIONEREIDAE 



36. Ophionereis dubia (Miiller & Troschel, 1842) 



See. Clark & Rowe, 1971: 122; Clark & Courtman, 1976: 179; 

 Price, 1983: 67; Rowe & Gates, 1995: 408. 



Material. 810502D/5 (1). 



Collection sites. E Klah, Pula We, Sumatra. 



Habitat and depth. Subtidal rock/sand; 10 m. 



37. Ophionereis fusca Brock, 1888 



See. Clark, A.M. 1953: 69; 78; Clark & Rowe, 1971: 88; 122; 

 Rowe & Gates, 1995:408. 



Material. 810421B/2 (1). 



Collection sites. Nr. Seukundo, Pula We, Sumatra. 



Habitat and depth. Subtidal sand; 10-20 m. 



