Astrocharis Koehler, 1904, 160; Matsumoto, 1911, 628. Type species: Astrocharis virgo Koehler, 1904, by monotypy.

Diagnosis

Radial shields naked, composed of a single ossicle. Body covered by contiguous tessellate scales, and by granules partly in contact with each other. Aboral surface of disc covered only by scales. Teeth triangular. Oral papillae present laterally on the jaws. Each tentacle pore with 1–2 associated with arm spines.

Remarks

Astrocharis species and Asteroschema amamiense Okanishi and Fujita, 2009 are distinguished from other Asteroschematidae species by their radial shields composed of a single ossicle, and a scale-covered aboral surface of the disc. Asteroschema igloo Baker, 1980 and Asteroschema capense Mortensen, 1925 have a scale-covered disk similar to that of Astrocharis species. This morphological similarity indicates a possible close relationship between the genus Astrocharis and A. amamiense, A. igloo and A. capense species. The internal ossicle morphology of radial shields of A. igloo and A. capense, which has never been examined, might be used to clarify the relationship between Astrocharis and Asteroschema.

Based on our analysis, Astrocharis currently comprises three species, A. virgo Koehler, 1904, A. ijimai Matsumoto, 1911 and A. monospinosa sp. nov. A tabular key to the species is given in Table 1.

Type material

NSMT E-5632, holotype, collected by the T/S Toyoshiomaru, le-channel, off Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, 26°51.7′N, 127°59.6′E-26°51.1′N, 127°59.6′E, 260–268 m, 26 May 2007. NSMT E-658, two paratypes, collected with a gill net, off Tomioka, Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, western Japan, depth unknown, 10 Aug 1965. NSMT E-6549, one paratype, collected by ROV Hakuyo 2000 of M/S Shinsei-maru, northwest off Ikema-jima Island, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, 350–380 m, 26 February 2004 (Fig. 1).

Diagnosis

Only one arm spine at each tentacle pore. Maximum length of the arm spines about twice the length of corresponding arm segment. Aboral surface of disc covered by large polygonal scales, 0.32–0.47 mm in mean length. Arms with positionally irregular alternating orange/brown and white bands. Parts of adoral shields, vertebrae, and lateral arm plates in basal to middle portion of arms naked. Not fissiparous.

Etymology

The species name is an adjective in apposition formed as a compound of Latinized Greek, mono (numeral, meaning “one”) and Latin spinosa (adjective, meaning “spiny”), referring to the one arm spine for each tentacle pore of this new species.

Description of holotype

NSMT E-5632: Disc diameter 5.6, arm length 115 mm (Fig. 2A–C).

Disc. Disc lacking evidence of fission, suggesting regeneration as if along a fission plane, and five-lobed with slightly notched interradial edges (Fig. 3A). Aboral surface nearly flat, covered by flat polygonal scales (Fig. 3A). Scales at the periphery relatively large, 0.5–0.8 mm long, approximately 150 µm thick (Fig. 3B), and at the center relatively small, 0.35–0.45 mm long, approximately 150 µm thick (Fig. 3C). Radial shields naked, oblong or oval, 1.5–2.7 mm long and 1.0–1.2 mm wide, not reaching the disc center (Fig. 3B).

Oral surface of disc also almost entirely covered by small, polygonal scales similar to those of aboral disc center, 0.2–0.25 mm long and approximately 150 µm thick (Fig. 3D, E). Proximal half of adoral shield naked, remainder covered by scales (Fig. 3D). Four to five triangular teeth form a vertical row on dental plate. Each side of jaw covered by oral papillae (Fig. 3E).

Lateral interradial surface of disc nearly vertical, covered by scales similar to those on oral surface (Fig. 3F). Two genital slits (1.5 mm long and 0.1–0.3 mm wide) present in each interradius. No distinct ossicles, suggesting existence of madreporites visible on oral interradius. Stout, naked genital plates present on adradial side of entrance to genital slits (Fig. 3F).

Arms. Five arms, one arm lost accidentally. Arms slightly thickened in basal four or five segments (Fig. 2B–C); thickened portion of arm 2.5 mm wide and 2.7 mm high, almost square in cross section (Fig. 3G), followed by thin segments 1.8 mm wide and 1.9 mm high. Distal portion of arms tapering gradually (Fig. 2A–C).

Aboral surface of basal thickened portion of arm covered by polygonal, oblong scales, 0.5–0.9 mm long, approximately 100 µm thick, similar to those at periphery of aboral disc (Fig. 3H). Oral surface covered by polygonal scales, 0.3–0.4 mm long, approximately 100 µm thick, similar to those on oral surface of disc (Fig. 5A). Aboral surface of distal thin portion of arm covered by rounded granules (Fig. 5B). Granules in slight contact with each other, 0.15–0.2 mm long and approximately 60 µm thick. Oral surface also covered by granules, 0.08–0.1 mm long, approximately 40 µm thick (Fig. 5C). For entire length of arms, length and thickness of scales on lateral side increasing toward oral side, up to 0.5 mm and approximately 300 µm, respectively. Scales or granules on arms gradually decreasing in size in a proximal-distal direction. In basal thickened portion of arms, lateral side of vertebrae partly naked, remainder concealed by scales (Fig. 5D: NSMT E-658-A, one paratype, 8.0 mm in disc diameter, 147 mm in arm length, ethanol preserved).

First to third tentacle pores lacking arm spine; 4th and more distal pores with one arm spine. Arm spines in basal two-thirds of arm ovoid, minute. Arm spines in basal one-thirds to two thirds of arm bearing fine spinelets at tip, twice as long as corresponding arm segment. Arm spines gradually transforming into hooks possessing conspicuous teeth along inner edge. Length of hook-shaped arm spines decreasing gradually toward distally along distal quarter of arm, and number of teeth decreasing from five to four.

Oral and lateral side of lateral arm plates partly naked, remainder concealed by scales or granules (Fig. 3D). Lateral and ventral arm plates completely concealed by scales or granules in distal quarter of arm.

Color. In life, on aboral disc surface, radial shields white, central part brown, and remainder orange. On oral side, vicinity of mouth orange, remainder white. Positionally irregular bands of different color are present throughout arms, orange in basal portion, deep brown in distal portion (Fig. 2A–C). Remainder of arms white. Only brown bands remain visible after fixation (Fig. 5B).

Ossicle morphology of paratypes

NSMT E-658-B: Disc diameter 12 mm, arm length at least 132 mm, dry, dissected (Fig. 3I, J).

Scales at aboral periphery of the disc, flat, polygonal, approximately 0.54 mm long and 155 µm thick (Fig. 4A, B). Granules at aboral surface of distal portion of arm, slightly domed and rounded, approximately 0.26 mm long and 96 µm thick (Fig. 4E, F).

Radial shield flat and triangular, approximately 2.21 mm in length and 1.46 mm in width distally, 0.62 mm in width proximally (Fig. 4D).

Adoral shields and an oral shield visible when scales on oral surface of disc removed (Fig. 3I).

Microscopic knobs on the naked part of vertebrae larger than those on the other parts (Fig. 4G). In basal to middle portion of arms, oral, and lateral side of lateral arm plates partly naked and microscopic knobs of the naked part enlarged (Figs. 3I, 4C). Lateral and ventral arm plates concealed by scales or granules in distal quarter of arm (Fig. 3J). Ventral arm plate visible when scales on oral surface of disc removed (Fig. 3I)

Arm spines on basal one-thirds of arm ovoid (Fig. 4H). Arm spines in middle portion of arms cylindrical, bearing fine spinelets at tip (Fig. 4I). Arm spines gradually transforming into hooks possessing conspicuous teeth along inner edge (Fig. 4J). Number of teeth decreasing gradually from five to four in a proximal-distal direction along distal quarter of arm.

Variation

Basal portion of arms of holotype (5.6 mm in disc diameter) and one paratype (NSMT E-658-B, 8.0 mm in disc diameter) are slightly widened, but those of the other two paratypes (NSMT E-6549, 6.0 mm; NSMT E-658-A, 12.0 mm in disc diameter) are not widened. Brown bands present in arms of specimens from Okinawa (Holotype and a paratype, NSMT E-6549), but two paratypes from Kumamoto are uniformly creamy white (NSMT E-658-A, E-658-B).

Distribution

JAPAN: off Okinawa Prefecture, 260–380 m, off Kumamoto Prefecture (Fig. 1).

Remarks

Astrocharis monospinosa new species can be distinguished from three previously described Astrocharis species by the following characteristics: The mean length of the scales in this present new species is approximately 0.32-0.47 mm (three type specimens), larger than the other species. The scales are approximately 0.07–0.08 mm in A. virgo (three syntypes), 0.11–0.24 mm in A. ijimai (two syntypes and 33 specimens) and 0.18 mm in A. gracilis (one holotype) (for actual status of some type specimens; see Remarks in A. ijimai below) (Fig. 6A).

The present species has only one arm spine in each tentacle pore throughout the arms, while A. virgo, A. ijimai and A. gracilis have two arm spines on the 7th–13th and more distal arm segments.

Two specimens of the present species has positionally irregular, alternating orange/brown and white bands on the arms, but A. virgo, A. ijimai, and A. gracilis have uniform colors (brown in A. virgo and creamy white in A. ijimai, and A. gracilis).

The adoral shields, lateral arm plates and vertebrae of the present species are partly naked (Figs. 3D, I, 5D), whereas those of A. virgo, A. ijimai, and A. gracilis are completely concealed by scales or granules.

All examined specimens of the present species and A. virgo have five arms and a circular disc lacking evidence of fission. In contrast, 35 specimens including one syntype (95%) of A. ijimai and the holotype of A. gracilis have six arms, and 25 specimens, including two specimens with five arms (68%) of A. ijimai exhibit regeneration along a fission plane, which indicates that these specimens are fissiparous (see also Remarks in A. ijimai below).

Astrocharis ijimai Matsumoto, 1911, 628–629, fig. 13; 1915, 54–55; 1917, 56–58, fig. 16; H. L. Clark, 1915, 178; Irimura, 1991, 118, fig. A–B.

Astrocharis gracilis Mortensen in Mortensen and Stephensen, 1918, 264–267, fig. 1–6; Döderlein, 1927, 77–78, pl. 9 fig. 5–5c, 6–6a (new synonymy).

Astrocharis virgo Koehler, 1904, 160–161, pl 20 fig. 1, pl 30 fig. 8 (in part: ZMA E2041).

Type material examined

ZMUC OPH-167, holotype of Astrocharis gracilis, seven miles south of Olutanga, Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, 555 m, 8 March 1914. ZMA E2041, one syntype of Astrocharis virgo, collected in Siboga Expedition, station 150, off Gilolo Strait, east of Halmahera Island, northeastern Indonesia, 0°6′N, 129°7.2′E, 1089 m. MCZ 3899, one syntype of Astrocharis ijimai, Sagami Sea, central Japan (Fig. 1).

Other material examined

NSMT E-995, seven ethanol preserved specimens, collected by the R/V Soyo-maru, off Hachijo-jima Island, Tokyo Metropolis, central Japan, 33°4.8′N, 139°11.1′E, 505–510 m, 21 June 1972. NSMT E-1531, two dried specimens and 24 ethanol preserved specimens, collected by the R/V Soyomaru, off Hachijo-jima Island, Tokyo Metropolis, central Japan, 33°8.0′N, 140°3.0′E, 500–510 m, 25 May 1963. NSMT E-1587, one dried specimen, collected by the R/V Soyo-maru, off Hachijo-jima Island, Tokyo Metropolis, central Japan, 33°5.7′N, 140°1.5′E, 455 m, 3 June 1962. NSMT E-3127, one dried specimen and one ethanol preserved specimen, collected by the R/V Tansei-maru, KT-92-2, station KH-2, Komahashi Sea Mount, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, 29°52.N, 133°19.2′E, 529–606 m, 15 February 1992 (Fig. 1).

Diagnosis

Except on basal portion of arms, two arm spines at each tentacle pore. Maximum length of the longer inner arm spines equal to the length of corresponding arm segment. Aboral surface of disc covered by relatively large polygonal scales, 0.11–0.24 mm in mean length. Body color uniformly creamy white. Adoral shields, vertebrae and lateral arm plates concealed by scales. Generally six arms, fissiparous.

Description of NSMT specimens

NSMT E-1531 (two specimens): Disc diameter 4.4 mm, arm length 21 mm and disc diameter 2.1 mm, arm length 10 mm, respectively; NSMT E-1587 (one specimen): Disc diameter 3.5 mm, arm length 31 mm.

Disc. Disc lacking evidence of fission. Six-lobed with slightly notched interradial edges (Fig. 7A). Aboral central and radial regions of disc tumid (Fig. 7A, B). Aboral surface of disc covered by flat and polygonal scales, relatively large and thin, 0.18–0.20 mm long and approximately 80 µm thick at the periphery (Figs. 7C, 8A, B), and relatively small and thick, approximately 0.15 mm long and 110–120 µm thick, in the center (Fig. 7D). Radial shields naked, short, oval, approximately 0.8 mm long and 0.25–0.50 mm wide, not reaching the disc center, and composed of a single ossicle (Figs. 7A–C, 8E).

Oral surface of disc also entirely covered by polygonal scales, similar to those of aboral disc center, approximately 0.15 mm long and 80 µm thick (Fig. 7E, F). Oral shields and oral plates covered by scales, thus the presence of madreporite(s) undetectable (Fig. 7G). Four or five triangular teeth form a vertical row on dental plate (Figs. 7G, 9A). Oral papillae present on each side of jaw (Fig. 9A). Second tentacle pores with a sheath composed of calcareous platelets just outside pores (Fig. 7G).

Lateral interradial surface of disc nearly vertical, covered by scales similar to those of oral disc. Two genital slits (0.9 mm long and 0.1 mm wide) present in each interradius on lateral face of disc (Fig. 7H). No distinct ossicles indicating existence of madreporites visible on oral interradius (Fig. 7F, H). Naked, stout genital plate present on adradial side of genital slit entrance (Fig. 7H).

Arm. Six arms. Arms thickened in basal seven or eight segments (Fig. 7A). Thickened basal portion of arm 1.7 mm wide and 1.2 mm high. Following segments only 1 mm wide and 0.8 mm high. Distal portion of arms tapering gradually (Fig. 7A, E). Oral side flattened and aboral side arched for entire length of arms.

Aboral surface of thick basal portion of arms covered by scales similar to those at periphery of aboral surface of disc, 0.16–0.20 mm long and approximately 80 µm thick (Fig. 9B). Oral surface of arms also covered by scales resembling those on oral surface of the disc, approximately 0.1 mm long and 50–60 µm thick (Fig. 9C). Aboral surface of distal thin portion of arm covered by flat and polygonal scales, 0.12–0.15 mm long and approximately 20 µm thick (Figs. 8C, D, 9D). Oral surface of arms covered by flat and round scales, 0.07–0.09 mm long and 20–30 µm thick (Fig. 9E). Entire length of arms size of scales on lateral side similar in size to those of aboral surface (Fig. 9F). Scales on arms gradually decreasing in size distally.

First to third tentacle pores lacking arm spines (Fig. 7F); 4th to 8th–11th pores with one arm spine (Fig. 9C); more distal pores with two arm spines (Fig. 9F). Arm spines in basal quarter of arms ovoid, minute, about one-fifth to one-quarter of corresponding arm segment length (Fig. 8G). In middle portion of arms, arm spines one-third to half of arm segment length, cylindrical. Arm spines bearing fine spinelets at tip, which gradually transform into hooks possessing four to six conspicuous teeth along inner edge (Fig. 8H). In distal quarter of arms, inner hook-shaped arm spines attain length equal to that of arm segment and number of teeth of inner and outer hook-shaped arm spines decreases to two (Fig. 8I). All outer arm spines two-thirds as long as inner arm spines along the entire length of the arms (Fig. 9F).

Lateral arm plates completely concealed by scales in basal thickened portion of arms, but visible in distal quarter where scales are more sparse (Fig. 9E).

Color. In life, white (Mortensen and Stephensen, 1918). Both ethanol preserved and dried specimens uniformly creamy white (Figs. 7A, E, 9G–I).

Variation

The three specimens described above (NSMT E-1531, E-1587) have only uniformsize scales on the aboral surface of disc. However, the other seven specimens of NSMT E-1531 have larger plates, which are approximately twice as long as scales. The larger plates are slightly sunken, darker in color, and their microscopic knobs are enlarged compared to scales (Fig. 9G, I).

Distribution

JAPAN: Sagami Sea (Matsumoto, 1911, 1915, 1917), around Hachijo-jima Island, 455–510 m deep (Irimura 1991; present study), southeastern Kagoshima Prefecture, 529–606 m (present study); PHILIPPINES: south of Olutanga, Mindanao Island, 555 m (Mortensen and Stephensen, 1918); INDONESIA: off Gilolo Strait, 1089 m (Koehler, 1904) (Fig. 1).

Remarks

Mortensen and Stephensen (1918) distinguished A. ijimai and A. gracilis based on width of the arm base, presence/absence of larger plates on the aboral disc, and arm length. However, our examination of more extensive material indicates that the three characters are not useful for distinguishing A. ijimai and A. gracilis, and that the latter name is therefore a subjective junior synonym.

The arm base of the holotype of A. gracilis is slightly thickened, 1.41 mm wide, and followed by thin segments of 1.17 mm wide, and the ratio of width is 1.2, which is identical to the ratio of one NSMT specimen of A. ijimai (NSMT E-0995; 4.0 mm in disc diameter). Moreover, as well as the holotype of A. gracilis, we found larger plates in seven of 36 NSMT specimens of A. ijimai (Fig. 9G, I). In addition, the ratio of length of the longest arm to disc diameter of the holotype of A. gracilis is 7.5, which is within the range (= 4–14.3) of 29 NSMT specimens of A. ijimai (seven specimens are excluded because their discs and arms are incomplete) (Fig. 6B).

Except for larger plates, which don't appear in all specimens, the body of Astrocharis species is covered by two types of ossicles: scales, which are polygonal, flat and contiguous; and granules, which are round, domed, and in slight contact with each other. According to previous descriptions, A. gracilis and A. ijimai have both scales and granules on the aboral surface of the disc. In contrast, A. virgo has only granules and lacks scales (Koehler, 1904; Matsumoto, 1911, 1917; Mortensen and Stephensen, 1918; Döderlein, 1927). In fact, three syntypes of A. virgo, the holotype of A, gracilis, the syntype of A. ijimai, and the 35 NSMT specimens (one specimen is excluded because the scales on the aboral surface of the disc are removed) of A. ijimai have only scales on the aboral surface of the disc (Figs. 7A, B, 9G–I). Therefore, the shape of ossicles on the aboral surface of the disc cannot be used to distinguish these three species of Astrocharis.

The position of arm segments with two arm spines was also the same in A. virgo, A. gracilis and A. ijimai. Segments with two arm spines were observed mainly from the 10th or 11th arm segment in one syntype of A. virgo (ZMA E2041), and from the 8th–11th arm segment in the other two syntypes of A. virgo (ZMA E2040), from the 9th or 10th arm segment in the holotype of A. gracilis, and from the 7th–13th arm segment in the syntype and 36 NSMT specimens of A. ijimai.

Mortensen and Stephensen (1918) and Döderlein (1927) indicated that A. virgo, A. ijimai, and A. gracilis have short, medium, and long scales on the aboral surface of the disc, respectively. In this study, the mean length of the scales (not including the larger plates, described by Mortensen and Stephensen in 1918) was 0.11–0.24 mm (mean = 0.155 mm, SD = 0.028) for the syntype and 33 NSMT specimens (three specimens were excluded because two specimens lacked more than half of their disc and the scales of another specimen are removed) of A. ijimai; 0.18 mm for the holotype of A. gracilis; 0.2, 0.07, and 0.08 mm for three syntypes of A. virgo, respectively. The holotype of A. gracilis and one syntype of A. virgo (ZMA E2041) cannot be distinguished from the specimens of A. ijimai (including one syntype) by the length of the scales on the aboral surface of the disc. Only the other two syntypes of A. virgo (ZMA E2040) have smaller scales and were distinguishable from the specimens of A. ijimai (Fig. 6A).

Additionally, we found that the number of the arms and reproductive mode are different in these two syntypes of A. virgo (ZMA E2040). They have five arms, and their discs show no evidence of fission. In contrast, another syntype of A. virgo (ZMA E2041), 34 NSMT specimens of A. ijimai and the holotype of A. gracilis have six arms and only two NSMT specimens of A. ijimai has five arms. In 25 of the NSMT specimens (including the one specimen with five arms) of A. ijimai, the holotype of A. gracilis and one syntype of A. virgo (ZMA E2041), the discs show conspicuous fission planes, suggesting fissiparity.

Body colors are also different in these specimens. The two syntypes of A. virgo with smaller scales (ZMA E2040) have a uniformly brown body color, and the other specimens previously identified as A. virgo are all uniformly creamy white (Figs. 7, 9, 10).

As a result of these findings, A. gracilis is here synonymized with A. ijimai, and one syntype (ZMA E2041) of A. virgo is re-identified as A. ijimai. Astrocharis virgo is a valid species with two syntypes (ZMA E2040). Astrocharis ijimai has relatively large scales (0.11–0.24 mm long), uniformly creamy white body color, generally six, rarely five arms, and is fissiparous. A. virgo has relatively small scales (0.07–0.08 mm long), a uniformly brown body color, five arms, and is not fissiparous.

Astrocharis virgo Koehler, 1904, 160, pl. 20, fig. 1, pl. 30, fig. 8 (in part: ZMA E2040); 1922, 32; H. L. Clark, 1915, 178.

Type material studied

ZMA E2040, two syntypes, collected by Siboga Expedition, station 95, off Sulu Islands, southwestern Philippines, 5°43.5′N, 119°40.E, 522 m (Fig. 1). One syntype (ZMA E2041) is identified as A. ijimai in this study.

Diagnosis

Except for basal portion of arms, two arm spines at each tentacle pore. Maximum length of the longer inner arm spines equal to the length of the corresponding arm segment. Aboral surface of disc covered by relatively small, round scales, 0.07–0.08 mm in mean length. Body color uniformly brown. Adoral shields, vertebrae and lateral arm plates concealed by scales. Five arms, and not fissiparous.

Description of one syntype specimen

One syntype of ZMA E2040: Disc diameter 6.6 mm in disc diameter, arm length 50 mm.

Disc. Disc lacking evidence of fission, ten-lobed with strongly notched interradial edges and slightly notched radial edges (Fig. 10A). Aboral surface depressed at center, and covered by polygonal scales and larger plates similar to those in some specimens of A. ijimai (Fig. 10B). Scales almost uniform in size, approximately 0.08 mm long, and larger plates approximately twice as long as scales (Fig. 10B). Radial shields naked, oval, approximately 1.3 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, not reaching disc center (Fig. 10A, B).

Oral surface of disc covered by flat, polygonal scales, approximately 0.15 mm long (Fig. 10C, D). Five to six triangular teeth form a vertical row on the dental plate (Fig. 10D). Six to seven oral papillae present on each side of jaw (Fig. 10D).

Lateral interradial surface of disc nearly vertical, covered by scales similar to those of oral disc. Two genital slits (1.6 mm long and 0.2 mm wide) present in each interradius. Oral plates and madreporite(s), which may be covered by scales, are not visible on oral interradial region (Fig. 10C).

Arms. Five arms. Basal 3rd to 5th arm segments, 3.0 mm wide and 2.2 mm high, with flattened aboral surface (Fig. 10A). Following 6th to 10th arm segments thickened in width, 3.6 mm wide and 2.2 mm high (Fig. 10A, E, F; see also Koehler, 1904: pl. 20, fig. 1). Arms tapering gradually distal to 11th arm segment (Fig. 10F). Beyond 3rd segment, oral surface flat and aboral surface arched.

Aboral surface of basal portion of arm covered by small polygonal scales similar to those on oral surface of disc, approximately 0.08 mm long (Fig. 10F) and larger plates similar to those on the aboral surface of disc (Fig. 10F). Oral surface covered by polygonal scales, slightly larger than those on aboral surface, 0.12–0.14 mm long (Fig. 10E). Thin distal portion of arm entirely covered by small scales, 0.07 mm long (Fig. 10H–J). Scales on arms gradually decreasing in size toward distally.

First to third tentacle pores lacking arm spines; from 4th to 9th pores (one arm), 4th to 12th pores (two arms), and 4th to 13th pores (two arms) with one arm spine; more distal pores with two arm spines. Inner spines on basal half of arm ovoid, minute, about one-quarter to one-third of corresponding arm segment (Fig. 10E). Outer spines on basal half of arm cylindrical, slightly shorter than corresponding inner spines. On distal third quarter of arms, both inner and outer spines cylindrical and one-third to three-quarters length of corresponding arm segment length (Fig. 10G). On distal one-quarter of arms, inner arm spines cylindrical, and one third to three-quarters length of corresponding arm segment length (Fig. 10I, J). Outer spines on distal quarter of arms also cylindrical, length three-quarters to four-fifths length of corresponding arm segment length (Fig. 10G, J). All tentacle pores have a cylindrical, hollow sheath just outside pore, with a tube foot passing through it (Fig. 10J).

Lateral and ventral arm plates concealed by scales even in distal arm segments (Fig. 10C–E, J).

Color. Ethanol preserved specimens uniformly dull brown aborally and slightly whitish brown orally (Fig. 10A, C).

Variation

The basal portion of the arms is widened in the larger syntype (6.6 mm in disc diameter), but not in the smaller syntype (5.0 mm in disc diameter). This difference may be due to differences in sexual maturity; the thickening of basal arm segments may be due to enlargement of gonads (Hendler, 1991).

Remarks

Of the three syntypes of A. virgo, two specimens (ZMA E2040) with smaller scales (0.07–0.08 mm), five arms, and brown body color are confirmed to be A. virgo, whereas one specimen (ZMA E2041) with larger scales (0.2 mm), six arms and creamy white body is re-identified as A. ijimai.

Distribution

PHILIPPINES: off Sulu Islands, southwestern Philippines, 522 m (Koehler, 1904), off Cagayan Islands, central Philippines, 929 m (Koehler, 1922) (Fig. 1).