THE STARFISHES OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
1001 
A few species stand alone, apparent^. I have not been able to find an} 7 v T ery 
close relatives. a Such are — 
Astropecten pusillulus 
Astropecten productus 
Ctenophoraster hawaiiensis 
Gilbertaster anaeanthus 
Evoplosoma forcipifera 
DESCRIPTION OF HAWAIIAN ASTEROIDEA. 
SYNOPSIS OF THE FAMILIES. 
a. Marginal plates usually large and' conspicuous in the adult, defining the contour of body. Papula? 
restricted to abactinal area (except in Linckiidse) circumscribed by the superomarginal plates. 
Ambulacral plates well spaced and broad. Mouth plates prominent. Actinostomal ring with 
adambulacral plates prominent. Pedicellarise when present spiniform, pectinate, valvate, or 
excavate. 
b. Abactinal skeleton composed of true columnar paxillse or paxilliform plates. Tegumentary 
developments usually spiniform. Primary apical plates usually not discernible. (See also 
bb-c-d.) Pedicellarise when present spiniform or pectinate, never bivalved or excavate. 
c. Superambulacral plates usually present; if absent, the marginal plates alternate and spiny. 
(In dd.) 
d. At least the inferomarginal plates well developed; plates of the 2 marginal series opposite, 
not regularly alternate. 
e. Fasciolar grooves between marginal plates usually well developed; paxillse typical; median 
radial paxillse smaller than those along sides of area. Anal aperture small or wanting 
( well developed in Dipsacaster) . 
f. Both series of marginal plates present Astro pectini da-: 
ff. Superomarginal plates aborted, represented by a series of paxillse Luidiid.e 
ee. Fasciolar grooves obsolete; median radial paxillse larger than those along sides of area; 
papulse not extending beyond middle of ray Pseud archastekidje 
dd. Plates of the 2 marginal series alternate, usually very spiny. An odd spiniferous interradial 
plate present in both marginal series in one genus (not Hawaiian) . Papulse confined to 
limited area at base of ray, often to a special papular organ. Pedicellarise, when present, 
pectinate Benthopectinid^e 
ce. Superambulacral plates absent. Medioradial series of paxillse conspicuously larger than the 
others. Marginal plates opposite. Spiniform pedicellarise often present. Superficially 
astropectinoid Archasteridj® (restricted) 
bb. Abactinal skeleton not composed of true paxillse or paxilliform plates except in Mediasterinse, 
when bivalved or 2-jawed upright pedicellarise are present. Primary apical plates usually 
readily discernible. Tegumentary developments usually granuliform, although in the 
Mediasterinse the abactinal plates may have well-developed spinelets. In addition to 
granules the plates may bear specialized spines and tubercles. Pedicellarise valvate, excavate, 
or foraminate. 
c. Actinal interradial areas large. 
d. Abactinal skeleton composed of polygonal or circular (occasionally stellate) plates which may 
or may not be united by separate internal radiating ossicles. The plates may bear 
a central tabulum, paxilliform in appearance, or may be simply flat and covered with 
granules or naked. In some genera the abactinal plates bear a central spine or tubercle, 
or several. Papulse usually confined to the abactinal radial areas. The plates may also 
be obscured by a tough skin which is superficially smooth (Leptogonasterinse) or covered 
with granules (Goniodiscidinse) Goniasterid.e 
aOne great difficulty is a lack of figures and the poor descriptions of many East Indian forms. 
Ophidiaster sclerodermus 
Ophidiaster tenellus 
Asthenactis papyraceus (related to 
Myxaster of Atlantic) . 
