New data on the genus Luidia Forbes, 1839 (Asteroidea Luidiidae) from the gulf of Oman and first record of Luidia maculata Müller et Troschel, 1842 in this region

Abstract

As a part of the research program about echinoderms of the Gulf of Oman, Luidia maculata Müller et Troschel, 1842, and L. hardwicki Gray, 1840 (Asteroidea Luidiidae) were collected from the sandy shores of Chabahar Bay along the north part of the gulf during the period from 2015 to 2016. Here, L. maculata is recorded for the first time from the Gulf of Oman and Iranian waters. Luidia hardwicki has been previously reported from this area. Details concerning the identification and distribution range of these species are provided.

Description of a new Luidia species (Asteroidea: Paxillosida: Luidiidae) from Japan with molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Luidia

“…An updated classification of Luidia species into four morphogroups based on three diagnostic characters (1, the abradial-most abactinal series contains 1.5 times or more plates than the adjacent superomarginal series; 2, mottled and/or banded colour pattern; 3, oral pedicellariae). Quinaster (Döderlein, 1920;Fell, 1963) Quinaria (Döderlein, 1920) L. armata A A P Ludwig, 1905;Clark, 1982Armaster (Döderlein, 1920 Alternaster (Fell, 1963) Alternata (Döderlein, 1920) Koehler, 1910Denudaster (Döderlein, 1920Fell, 1963) Quinaria (Döderlein, 1920) L. gymnochora Fisher, 1919 Denudaster (Döderlein, 1920;Fell, 1963) Quinaria (Döderlein, 1920) Clark, 1953;Clark and Rowe, 1971;Fatemi and Fatemi, 2018; present study…”