A systematic revision of the asterinid genus Aquilonastra O Loughlin, 2004 (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) Author O, P. Mark text Memoirs of Museum Victoria 2006 63 2 257 287 journal article 1447-2554 Aquilonastra anomala (H.L. Clark, 1921 ) Figures 1 , 2a , 7a Asterina anomala H.L. Clark, 1921: 95–96 , pl. 7 fig. 8, pl. 23 fig. 5, pl. 26 figs 2, 3.—H.L. Clark, 1938: 143–144 .—H.L. Clark, 1946: 133–134 .—A.M. Clark and Rowe, 1971: 68 , fig. 17g , tbl. 1.— Marsh, 1974: 92 .— Marsh, 1977: 270–271 , fig. 7, tbl. 2.— Oguro, 1983: 222– 224 , figs 5, 6, 12, 13.—A.M. Clark, 1993: 207 .— Rowe and Gates, 1995: 33–34 .— Waters et al., 2004: 874 , 876, 877, tbl. 1, figs 1, 2. Aquilonastra anomala .—OʼLoughlin and Waters, 2004: 11, 13– 15, fig. 1. Material examined . N Australia , Torres Strait , Darnley I., 30 Apr 1977 , WAM Z6849 (2) ; Kimberley , 17 Jul 1988 , Z6843 (1) ; Papua New Guinea , Bismark Archipelago , 1–34 m , 29 Jun 2003 , UF 2283 (1) ; 15–22 m , 26 Jun 2003 , UF 2217 (1) ; West New Britain , 3–37 m , 17 Jun 2003 , UF 2270 (1) ; Christmas I. , 13 Feb 1987 , Z6851 (1); Lord Howe I., AM J6169 (21) ; 15 Feb 1979 , J16574 (2); H.L. Clark , Apr 1932 , NMV F95593 (6) ; 20 May 2003 , F97690 (6); 15 Mar 2002 , F96699 (1); Solomon Is. 4–6 m , 20 Jun 2004 , F94607 (1); 3–5 m , 26 Jun 2004 , F94616 (3); Caroline Is. Z6845 (2); Palau , 26 Jul 1999 , UF 1740 (3) ; Samoa , F96698 (2). Diagnosis . Fissiparous Aquilonastra species ; up to 8 rays, predominantly 7, broad basally, rounded distally; up to R = 12.5 mm (H.L. Clark, 1938 ); pedicellariae with differentiated conical valves larger than spinelets sometimes present in proximal interradial angle; up to 4 inconspicuous madreporites seen; abactinal gonopores present. At R = 8 mm , r = 4 mm , lacking carinal series of plates, upper rays with 2 irregularly arranged longitudinal series of singly papulate plates; plates domed, angled over papulae more than notched; single papula per plate, rarely 2; some secondary plates intergrade with primary plates; spinelets long, thin conical pointed to prominently splay-pointed sacciform, up to about 20 spinelets over projecting surface of each proximal abactinal plate, predominantly in transverse double band, rare clustering of spinelets; distal interradial plates with up to about 6 sacciform splay-pointed spinelets; superomarginal and inferomarginal plates subequal; superomarginal plates each with up to about 8 spinelets, inferomarginal plates each with up to about 16 slightly larger spinelets, marginal spinelets long, splay-pointed sacciform. Spines per actinal plate up to: oral 7, suboral 5, furrow 6, subambulacral 5, actinal interradial 7 (variable, predominantly 3–4); interradial spines glassy, thin, conical, pointed, spinous, in transverse series or tufts on plates. Colour (live) . “Green, prettily variegated with white and rusky, with traces of red and yellow along the margins” (H.L. Clark, 1921 ); “green is common as a tinge, if not as a ground colour, and orange and brown are very generally evident; white blotches or markings may occur” (H.L. Clark, 1946 ); brown with reddish tinge apically, green tinge radially, white interradially, some orange marginally (photo by G. Paulay). Distribution . N and NE Australia ; Papua New Guinea ; Lord Howe I.; Solomon Is.; Caroline Is., Palau ; Marshall Is.; Fiji ; Tonga ; Samoa ; Cook Is.; 0–37 m ( Marsh, 1974 ; A.M. Clark, 1993 ; this work). Remarks . A distinguishing character for the fissiparous A. anomala is the relatively long, frequently splay-pointed, abactinal spinelets. Green is commonly present in the mottled live colours.