Neoferdina cumingi Gray 1840
Creators: name: Mah, Christopher L.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Echinodermata
Asteroidea
Valvatida
Goniasteridae
Neoferdina
Neoferdina cumingi

description: Neoferdina cumingi (Gray, 1840)
Figure 15 A–G
Gray 1840: 283; H.L. Clark 1921: 59 (as Ferdina)
Grube 1857: 340; Livingstone 1931: 307; Clark & Rowe 1971: 65; Marsh 1974: 89 (as Scytaster cancellatus)
Clark, H.L. 1921: 60 (as Ferdina ocellata)
Fisher 1925: 73; (as Neoferdina cancellata tylota Fisher 1925)
Livingstone 1931: 307; Fisher 1935: 74; Clark & Rowe 1971: 36,65, Jangoux 1973: 788; Marsh 1974: 89; Yamaguchi 1975: 14, 20; Liao 1980: 160; Jangoux in Guille et al. 1986: 132; Jangoux et al. 1989: 168; Marsh 1993: 56, 60; Liao & Clark 1995: 119; Rowe & Gates 1995: 89; Gosliner et al. 1996: 261; H.E.S. Clark & McKnight 2001: 175; Byrne et al. 2004: 160; Antokhina & Britayev 2012: 899, 900 (Pl. 7, fig. 29); Putchakam S & Sonchaeng P. 2004: 420; Xiao & Liao 2013: 1037 (as Neoferdina cumingi)
Purwati & Lane 2004: 96 (as N. offreti)
Occurrence. Kenya, Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), Xisha Island and Macclesfield Bank, South China Sea, Southern Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Sumba (Indonesia), Marshall Islands, Guam, New Caledonia, Southeast Polynesia, northern Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Ashmore reef, Cocos Island) and Lord Howe Island. 0–59 m.
Comments. This species has historically been differentiated based on the alternation between heterogeneously sized, large and small superomarginal plates (Figs. 15 A–F). It is one of the two most widely occurring, the other being N. offreti, of the known Neoferdina species observed in tropical reef settings (e.g., Coleman 2007; Gosliner et al. 1997). Both Neoferdina cumingi and N. offreti show considerable morphological and color variation and in some individuals the morphological boundaries based on reported characters used to distinguish them are uncertain. USNM E16514 for example (Figs 15 C,D), displays heterogeneous superomarginal plates as well as a transverse series of bald, convex plates which conclude at the abactinal/superomarginal contact (thus suggesting N. offreti). Fisher (1925) summarized morphological variation in terms of the species and subspecies which were recognized at the time. Jangoux (1973) subsequently synonymized these into the highly variable N. cuming i. Preliminary molecular data (G. Paulay, pers. comm, 2016) suggests that Neoferdina cumingi is a complex of cryptic species.
Further morphological variation in this species includes the presence of a distinct series of transverse plates, which in many identification keys has been the identifying characteristic used most often to identify Neoferdina offreti (both observed in CASIZ 113507, 113962). The transverse series is itself variable within N. cumingi, and can be expressed as a complete and strongly-expressed series of plates (e.g., Fig. 15 D, CASIZ 1 13507) or as an incipient or weakly expressed to nearly absent series (e.g., Fig. 15 A, MNHN-IE-2013-6729) composed only of a transverse expression across the arm. In several instances, the transverse series extends onto the lateral side, interrupting the marginal plate series and forming the heterogenous series characteristic of the species (e.g. Figs 15 C–D).
Another significant character unreported elsewhere is the presence of nubbin-like spinelets (Fig. 15 A, C) present on the abactinal and marginal surface. These do not occur on all abactinal plates observed but are present on approximately 20–50% of the total number of convex, enlarged plates. Although a global sampling was beyond the scope of this study, individuals with nubbin-like spinelets were observed on individuals from Papua New Guinea (e.g., CASIZ 113962), Fiji (e.g., CASIZ 113507) and New Caledonia (e.g., MNHN-IE-2013-6730). Other individuals (e.g., CASIZ 106976 from Queensland, Australia; CASIZ 105154 from the Philippines) and CASIZ 105154 showed unspined, smooth, bare convex abactinal plates more typically observed in N. cumingi. The presence/absence of these nubbin-like spinelets did not appear to be associated with any geographic pattern. For example, both spined (CASIZ 202381) and unspined (CASIZ 105154) individuals occurred in the same general geographic region (e.g., the Philippines) with no clear habitat or other environmental correlate, however only three individuals from this region were examined.
The heterogeneous sizes of superomarginal plates also varies significantly, sometimes on a single individual. Some specimens (e.g., Fig. 15 A, B; MNHN-IE-2013-6729) display alternating large and small sized superomarginals with bald/not bare regions on one arm versus similar sized superomarginal plates with irregular bare regions present on a minority of individuals but not others. Other individuals (e.g, Fig. 15 E, F, USNM 1233989) show more homogeneous sizes between alternating bald versus granule-covered superomarginal plates.
Material examined. Pacific Ocean. MNHN-IE-2013-6729; Canal Woodin, New Caledonia, 20 m; Coll. Laboute 21 March 1982; 4 dry specs. R=5.0, r=1.6; R=2.4, r=0.8; R=3.8, r=1.0; R=3.1, r=0.8 (unspined). CASIZ 106976; Feather Reef near reef crest, Australia; Coll. R.G. Pearson. 1 dry spec. R=2.8, r=0.9 (unspined). CASIZ 105154; N. side of Busuanga Island, Calamian Group, Palawan, Philippines, 9.1 m (30 ft); 1 wet spec. R=2.6, r=0.7 (unspined). CASIZ 113514; Northeast corner pinnacles and channels North Astrolabe Reef, Fiji Islands, 18°37’10’S, 178° 33.19’E, 18.2–24.3 m.; 1 wet spec. R=2.8, r=0.9 (spined). CASIZ 202381; Lubang Islands, Philippines, 13.78°N, 120.10°E, 7.62–24 m; Coll. T.M. Gosliner; 1 wet spec.R=4.7, r=1.4 (spined). CASIZ 113962; NW Shore wall, channel east of brook. Deboyne Islands, Papua New Guinea, 10°40.11’S, 152° 21.08’, 25.6 m.; Coll. T.M. Gosliner; 1 wet spec. R=3.62, r=1.2 (spined). CASIZ 109777; Barracuda Point, Pig Island, Madang Lagoon, Papua New Guinea, 0–11.5 m; Coll. T. Gosliner & B. Doverspike; 1 wet spec. R=2.5, r=0.7 (unspined). CASIZ 104460; Reef about 1 mile west of Aulong Island, Palau, 7°16.50’N, 134°15.20’E, 6–9.1 m.; 1 wet spec. R=3.3, r=1.0 (unspined). CASIZ 104462; Blue Holes west of Orugregiru Island, Palau. 7°8’N, 134°14’E, 24.3 m.; 1 wet spec. R=3.3, r=1.0 (spined). CASIZ 113507; Northwest side, Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji Islands, 18° 44’S, 178° 29’E, 9.1–18.2 m.; Coll. R. Van Syoc; 2 wet specs. R=2.5, r=0.7; R=3.0, r=0.9 (spined). CASIZ 113512 Northeast of Dravuni Island, Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji Islands, 18°44.08’S, 178° 32.63’E, 9.1–13.7 m; Coll. R. Van Syoc; 1 wet spec. R=2.5, r=0.7 (spined). CASIZ 113513; northwest side of Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji Islands, 18°44’S, 178°28’E, 9.1–13.7m; 2 wet specs. R=3.2, r=0.9; R=2.8, r=0.9 (spined). CASIZ 113931 northwest side Astrolabe Reef, Fiji, 18°44.00’S, 178° 29.00’E, 9.1–18.2 m.; Coll. R. Van Syoc; 1 dry spec. R=3.1, r=1.0 (spined). CASIZ 113932 northwest side Astrolabe Reef, Fiji. 18°43.91’S, 178° 28.71’E, 12.2–18.2 m, Coll. R. Van Syoc; 1 dry spec. R=2.6, r=0.6 (spined). CASIZ 309040; Anaw channel through barrier reef on northwest side of atoll, Chuuk atoll, Micronesia, 7°34.9N, 151°40.66’E, 19 m.; Coll. Coral Reef Research Foundation; 1 wet spec. R=2.8, r=0.8 (spined). USNM E07364; Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, North Pacific Ocean; Coll. J.P. Morrison; 1 dry spec. R=2.5, r=1.0 (arms damaged). USNM E13170; Passe de Teavaroa, Tahiti, Society Islands, 21.3–27.4 m.; Coll. D.M. Devaney; 1 dry spec. R=2.0 r=0.7. Indian Ocean. USNM E45970; Kenya, Indian Ocean; Coll. J. Frazier 1974–75; 1 dry spec. R=2.3, r=0.7. USNM E10239; Christmas Island, Western Australia, Indian Ocean; Coll. Oct 1932; 1 dry spec. R=2.0, r=0.5. USNM 1233989; Juan de Nova Madagascar; Coll. T. Mulochau; 1 dry spec. R=2.4 r=0.7. South Africa. MB-A 081521; (Iziko) Sodwana Reef, 7.62 m (50 ft). Coll. 25 July 1976. 1 wet spec.
description: Published as part of Mah, Christopher L., 2017, Overview of the Ferdina - like Goniasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) including a new subfamily, three new genera and fourteen new species, pp. 1-72 in Zootaxa 4271 (1) on pages 47-49, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4271.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/583192