Asteroidea of Portuguese East Africa. 55 



Ophidiaster cylindricus (Lam.), M. and T. 

 This is a typical coral-reef species, and is represented in the collection 

 by several specimens of different ages from Montepes Bay. The following 

 notes may prove interesting in a study of development : — 



#=146 r = U 



#=104 r=ll 



# = 92 r= 9 



# = 69 r= 8-5. 



In life the colour schemes of this species are extremely striking, and 

 are by far the most brilliant in the associated fauna. Many specimens are 

 dark red all over ; others are of a bright yellow, with dark red to vermilion 

 blotches on the arms. They are somewhat slimy to the touch when alive. 

 There is never more than one madrepore plate. 



Locality. — Station X., Montepes Bay, between Kilalia Island and Sinkori 

 Island. 



Previously recorded from — Muscat (Brit. Mus.) ; Mauritius ; Ceylon ; 

 Kondavi, Fiji Islands ; Moluccas. 



Linckia diplax (M. and T.). 



This is apparently one of the commonest Asteroids on the coast. There 

 are numerous specimens from three separate localities, viz , Tunghi Bay, 

 Kero-Nyuui Bay, and from the reefs separating Das Kolas Is. from Matemo Is. 

 #=175 r=ll #=16r. 



The number of arms varies from four to six, and two madrepore plates 

 occur on every individual except in one with six rays, which has three. 



There are three comet individuals, in one of which #=112, r = 9 ; in 

 another # = 60, r = 8; while in the third #=89, and r = 39. 



In the largest specimens the small rays are thick in proportion to their 

 length, and comparatively blunt. In the others they are almost normal in 

 proportion. 



In several individuals one or more arms have been truncated, and 

 regeneration is in progress. 



The two predominant general colours are brown and blue, with black 

 dots. Many, however, are greenish blue on the aboral surface, and bear 

 minute black dots, which give the whole the appearance of a branching 

 coral. The oral surface is purplish-red. 



Localities. — Station I., Tunghi Bay ; Station IX., Matemo Is. ; Station VI., 

 Kero-Nyuni Bay. 



Previously recorded from — Mozambique; Madagascar; Bourbon; Mauri- 

 tius ; Ceylon ; Christmas Is.; New Caledonia; Fiji ; and Friendly Islands. 



