Complementary investigation and taxonomic identification of starfishes, (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from the Northern Persian Gulf, Iran

Sea Stars are one of the most incredible creatures in the coastal and open waters. In this study, ۱۱ species of starfishes have been identified which belonging to six genera and five families in northern islands of Persian Gulf during May ۲۰۱۷ to September ۲۰۱۸. Among the species, Astropecten hemprichi (Müller & Troschel, ۱۸۴۲), Astropecten indicus (Döderlein, ۱۸۸۸), Astropecten polyacanthus polyacanthus (Muller and Troschel, ۱۸۴۲), Astropecten polyacanthus phragmorous (Muller and Troschel, ۱۸۴۲), Luidia hardwicki (Gray, ۱۸۴۰), Aquilonastra iranica (Mortensen, ۱۹۴۰), Linckia multifora (Lamarck, ۱۸۱۶), Culcita novaeguineae (Muller & Troschel, ۱۸۴۲) and Pentaceraster mammillatus (Audouin, ۱۸۲۶) have been reported in the past. The species of Aquilonastra watersi (O'Loughlin and Rowe, ۲۰۰۶) and Linckia laevigata (Linnaeus, ۱۷۵۸) are new recordsin the Persian Gulf.

Keywords:

sea stars , morphologic , Iran , Systematic , Echinodermata