New Ecological Observations and Occurrence for Asteroidea and Echinoidea in Hong Kong Author Yiu, Sam King Fung 0000-0001-6212-7339 School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. cyclesamyiu @ hotmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 6212 - 7339 cyclesamyiu@hotmail.com Author Mah, Christopher L. 0000-0001-6212-7339 School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. cyclesamyiu @ hotmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 6212 - 7339 & Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C. brisinga @ gmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0002 - 0178 - 8237 & School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. cyclesamyiu @ hotmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 6212 - 7339 cyclesamyiu@hotmail.com text Zootaxa 2024 2024-10-22 5526 1 1 69 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5526.1.1 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.5526.1.1 1175-5334 14021526 987FAD00-32A7-4E38-AFAD-6EAC8D808FB2 Pseudoboletia indiana ( Michelin 1862 ) FIGURE 15A–D FIGURE 15. Pseudoboletia indiana A–B. In situ observation showing color variation and collector’s behavior. C. Aboral view. D. Oral view. Photographer: Sam King Fung Yiu. Comments This species was distinguished by its relatively short spines and white body color with black patchy markings ( Fig. 15A–B ). Our account follows Liao & Clark (1995) which shows Pseudoboletia maculata synonymized with Pseudoboletia indiana . Although recorded from the Southern China area, this represents the first occurrence of this species in Hong Kong . Specimens were found at Trio Island in a rocky habitat of 7m depth. This was among several urchins from southern and middle Japan reviewed by Saitoh et al . (2019) . Many of the individuals observed displayed “covering behavior”, carrying coarse pebbles and shells ( Fig. 15A, B ), which is consistent with data that this species prefers calcareous rubble as protective “coverage” against UV radiation ( Barrett et al . 2019 ). Occurrence/Distribution Hong Kong , 7 m . Outside Hong Kong , Southern China Xisha Island , throughout the Indo-Pacific to Madagascar , 0– 100 m .