Introduction

Asterodiscididae are known from three genera from the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. Only one genus and seven species are recorded in Australian waters.

This family is distinguished from others in the order Valvatida by the following combination of character states: arms five; size moderate; body form stellate to pentagonal; aboral skeleton reticulate, with a group of papulae between the plates; marginal plates few, spaced apart, usually inconspicuous but terminal superomarginal often massive, actinal papulae absent; interbrachial septum membranous; tube feet without spicules, with terminal disc.

General References

Blake, D.B. 1987. A classification and phylogeny of post-Palaeozoic sea-stars (Asteroidea: Echinodermata). Journal of Natural History 21: 481-528

Rowe, F.W.E. 1977. A new family of Asteroidea (Echinodermata), with the description of five new species and one new subspecies of Asterodiscides. Records of the Australian Museum 31(5): 187-233 figs 1-5

Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6

History of changes

• Asterodiscus Gray, J.E. 1847. 2. Descriptions of some new genera and species of Asteriadae. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 12: 72-83 [75] [junior homonym of Asterodiscus Ehrenberg, 1838 (Protozoa)].

  Type species:

   Asterodiscus elegans Gray, 1847 by monotypy.
• Asterodiscides Clark, A.M. 1974. Notes on some echinoderms from southern Africa. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology 26(6): 421-487 figs 1-16 tables 1-3 [435] [nom. nov. for Asterodiscus Gray, 1847].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

History of changes

• Asterodiscides culcitulus Rowe, F.W.E. 1977. A new family of Asteroidea (Echinodermata), with the description of five new species and one new subspecies of Asterodiscides. Records of the Australian Museum 31(5): 187-233 figs 1-5 [193, fig. 1a-c].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z1722 (old number: 1063–74), off Dongara, WA [29°29´S 114°12´E].
  Paratype(s) WAM Z1723 9 specimens (old number: 1116–74, location of 2 paratypes unknown), SW of Jurien Bay, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

South of Mandurah to Shark Bay WA. Depth range 31-180 m.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, marine, subtropical.

General References

Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6

History of changes

• Asterodiscides grayi Rowe, F.W.E. 1977. A new family of Asteroidea (Echinodermata), with the description of five new species and one new subspecies of Asterodiscides. Records of the Australian Museum 31(5): 187-233 figs 1-5 [208, fig. 5e-f].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM J8719, Moreton Bay (27º27´22˜S 153º39´E), QLD,.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Moreton Bay, Qld to Solitary Ils., NSW and from Norfolk Is.; west Pacific Ocean, Japan, Kermadec Ils. Depth range 71-108 m.

IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, marine, tropical.

General References

Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6

History of changes

• Asterodiscides macroplax Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6 [536 fig. 1 pls 2(D-F), 3(A-D].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z1726 (old number: 186–78), Houtman Abrolhos, WA.
  Paratype(s) AM J16334; AM J16336; AM J14069; AM J14111; WAM Z1727 2 specimens (old number: 188–78), Houtman Abrolhos, WA; WAM Z1728 1 specimen (old number: 48–81), Houtman Abrolhos, WA; WAM Z1729 1 specimen (old number: 405–80), Monte Bel;lo Is, WA; WAM Z1730 2 spoecimens (old number: 59–80), Montebello Is, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Houtman Abrolhos to north of Port Hedland WA. Depth range 7-83 m.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, tropical.

General References

Rowe, F.W.E. 1977. A new family of Asteroidea (Echinodermata), with the description of five new species and one new subspecies of Asterodiscides. Records of the Australian Museum 31(5): 187-233 figs 1-5 (in part, Exmouth Gulf specimens, as Asterodiscides pinguiculus Rowe, 1977)

History of changes

• Asterodiscides multispinus Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6 [540, fig. 1, pl. 3(E-F)].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM GL2181, off Townsville (18º55´S 146º56´E), QLD.
  Paratype(s) AM J16861–2.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from the type locality off Townsville Qld. Depth range 23-27.5 m.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore, marine, tropical.

History of changes

• Asterodiscides pinguiculus Rowe, F.W.E. 1977. A new family of Asteroidea (Echinodermata), with the description of five new species and one new subspecies of Asterodiscides. Records of the Australian Museum 31(5): 187-233 figs 1-5 [204, fig. 4h-j].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z1731 (old number: 1079–74), off Bernier Is., Shark Bay, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from the type locality off Bernier Island WA. Depth range 23-27 m.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore, marine, tropical.

General References

Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6 (specimen recorded in original description from Exmouth Gulf referred to Asterodiscides macroplax Rowe, 1977)

History of changes

• Asterodiscides soelae Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6 [547, fig. 1, pls 4(A-F), 5(A)].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z1732 (old number: 191–78), Goss Passage, south of Long Is., Wallabi Group, Houtman Abrolhos, WA.
  Paratype(s) AM J14508; WAM Z1734 1 specimen (old number: 382–80), Montebello Is, WA; WAM Z1733 1 specimen (old number: 190–78), Houtman Abrolhos, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Houtman Abrolhos to north of Monte Bello Ils WA; New Caledonia. Depth range 20-80 m.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, marine, tropical.

History of changes

• Asterodiscus truncatus Coleman, H.L. 1911. Scientific results of the trawling expedition of H.M.C.S. Thetis. Echinodermata. Supplement. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 4(14): 699-701 figs 123-125 pl. 83 [699, figs 123-125, pl.83].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) AM J1053 1 specimen, off Botany Bay, NSW, and off east coast of VIC, (St Francis Is., SA, specimen apparently lost); AM J2047 1 specimen, east coast of VIC.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Off North Solitary Is., NSW to off Eucla, Great Australian Bight WA; Kermadec Ils, New Zealand. Depth range (?0)14-804 m.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Rowe, F.W.E. 1977. A new family of Asteroidea (Echinodermata), with the description of five new species and one new subspecies of Asterodiscides. Records of the Australian Museum 31(5): 187-233 figs 1-5

Rowe, F.W.E. 1985. Six new species of Asterodiscides A.M. Clark (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), with a discussion of the origin and distribution of the Asterodiscididae and other 'amphi-Pacific' echinoderms. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 7(A,3): 531-577 fig. 1 pls 1-6

History of changes