THE ECU INODE RMS OF PORTO RICO.
BY
HUBERT LYMAN CLARK,
Professor of Biology
,
Olivet College, Michigan.
231

THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO.
By HUBERT LYMAN CLARK,
Professor of Biology
,
Olivet College, Michigan.
The following account of the echinoderms of Porto Rico is based primarily on
the extensive collections made by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk
in January and February, 1899, comprising considerably over 1,000 specimens and
representing 85 species. The collection of crinoids is very small, but whether this is
due to the difficulty of dredging in those waters or to the comparative scarcity of
that group of echinoderms around Porto Rico it is impossible for me to say. The
collection of holothurians is also small, but in this case there is little doubt that the
difficulty of dredging is responsible. The collections of starfishes and sea-urchins,
though not very extensive, probably represent with a fair degree of completeness the
littoral fauna of Porto Rico in those groups. The collection of brittle-stars is large,
comprising more specimens and more species than all the other groups combined,
and it is doubtless very representative, at least of the littoral fauna.
I have also had the privilege of examining the echinoderms collected in the winter
of 1900 near San Juan by Mr. George R. Gray. Though this collection embraces only
22 species, it includes 1 holothurian and 1 brittle-star not in the, Fi.ft Hawk collections.
The number of species in the following list is therefore 87, of which 3 are crinoids, 11
asteroids (starfishes), 49 ophiuroids (brittle-stars), 13 echinoids (sea-urchins), and 11
holothurians. Of these, 8 seem to have been heretofore undescribed and 14 others
have their previously known range extended considerably, so that the collections add
not a little to our knowledge of West Indian echinoderms. About 50 of the 87 species
may be classed as “littoral” forms; that is, they may be looked for in water of less
than 2 fathoms depth, and nearly all of them occur in much shallower water than that,
often just below low-water mark. Judged by these collections, the echi noderm fauna
of Porto Rico is essentially like that of the other West Indian islands, although some
of the new forms may prove to be confined to Porto Rico alone. At present we know
too little of the fauna of any of the islands to draw any far-reaching conclusions.
In preparing this report two very different objects have been kept in view, but
it is hoped that the attempt to combine them in one paper will not detract from the
value of the work. Primarily, it is intended to present a complete report of the
collections made by the Fisli Iia/uok
,
describing and figuring the new species, and
giving a full list of the echinoderms of Porto Rico. But the attempt is also made
to give. a brief description and account of each species, sufficient to enable anyone
acquainted with zoolog}^ to identify them. The echinoderms are among the most
233
234 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
noticeable and characteristic animals of the West Indies, and any visitor to the
islands at all interested in natural history is sure to find specimens which it would be
of interest, if not of importance, to identify. At present there is no single work,
nor indeed any popular book of any kind, by means of which this could be done.
The Porto Rican collections have afforded the opportunity to prepare such a paper,
since they include many of the common littoral echinoderms of the West Indies. It
is hoped that these very artificial “ keys” may be of use, not only to travelers and to
residents in Porto Rico and the other islands who are interested in marine life, but
especially to students or specialists in other fields of zoology who may visit the
West Indies and wish to know the names and history of the echinoderms with which
they meet. The “keys” may also be of use in Florida and along the Gulf coast.
It must be borne in mind that our knowledge of West Indian echinoderms is far
from complete, and there are doubtless many of the less common “littoral” species
not included in these “keys.” Specimens of such forms may or may not fit by accident
into the key, but the brief account given under the name of each species will assist
in preventing mistakes. There are quite a number of species which were not taken
in Porto Rico, but which will very possibly be found there. Such forms have been
included in paragraphs following the lists of species, with brief statements of their
distinguishing characteristics, to assist in their identification if found. It is of great
importance that specimens which do not answer to the descriptions here given should
be preserved in spirits and if possible forwarded to the Fish Commission or the
National Museum at Washington for identification. In this way the present list will
lie extended until it includes all of the littoral echinoderms of the West Indies.
In presenting this report I desire to express my deep appreciation of the cour-
tesies I have received from the Hon. George M. Bowers, FI. S. Commissioner of Fish
and Fisheries; and also from Dr. Hugh M. Smith, of the U. S. Fish Commission.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 235
CRINOIDEA.
SEA LILIES.
The erinoids comprise a very insignificant part of the Fish Hawk collections,
and there are no stalked forms among them. There are not a half dozen specimens
all together, although there are fragments of many arms. They represent three
common West Indian species of Cornatulce
,
collected at five different stations, and
may lie distinguished from each other by the following characters:
A. Mouth approximately in center of disk. Oral pinnules without a “ comb” near tip Antedon hagenii
B. Mouth at side of disk. Oral pinnules with a “ comb” of coarse teeth on inner side near tip.
1. Color pale. Pinnules without minute spines or hooks on each joint Actinometra mcridionalis
2. Color red-brown, with a longitudinal black stripe on aboral side of arms. Pinnules with
minute spines or hooks on each joint Actinometra rubiginosa
Antedon hagenii (Pourtales).
This has been called the commonest crinoid of the West Indies. It was first collected by Pour-
tales in the Straits of Florida, and has since been found widely distributed in the Caribbean Sea.
The calyx is about 20 mm. across; arms 100 mm. long. There is one calyx and fragments of many
arms from station 6067, where they were dredged on a coral bottom at over 100 fathoms depth.
Pourtales says the color is “pale-greenish, turning white in alcohol.” The fragments of arms before
me are almost white, but are banded with pale brown, and near the base is a longitudinal pale-brown
stripe on the aboral side.
Actinometra meridionalis ( Pourtales)
.
Originally described by Pourtales from specimens collected in Florida Straits, but now known as
a common and widely distributed form in the western Atlantic. Somewhat larger than the preceding.
There are 4 calyces of this species, with portions of arms attached, from station 6063. The longest
arm measured 125 mm. There are also fragments from station 6066. This specimen was collected
with a trawl on a rocky sand bottom at a depth of from 75 to 172 fathoms.
Actinometra rubiginosa ( Pourtales)
.
First described from south of Florida, its range eastward being greatly extended by its collection
at the eastern end of Porto Rico. About the size of the preceding and more handsomely colored.
Fragments of arms collected with a tangle on a coral bottom at stations 6088 and 6090, at depths of 16
to 23 fathoms, seem to be referable to this species. They are dark reddish-brown, with a longitudinal
black stripe on the aboral side.
Numerous other species of erinoids have been collected in the Caribbean Sea,
but it is impossible to say what forms may be expected to occur in the Porto Rican
waters. It is worth noting, however, that the three species collected by the Fish
Hawk are not only all Cornatulce (erinoids without stalks, not attached when adults),
but belong to the 10- armed series of that group. Several Cornatulce
,
having 15 to 20
or more arms, may be looked for, while other 10-armed species undoubtedly occur.
Of the stalked erinoids, Pentacrimos decorus W. Thomson has been recorded from
the “ south side of Porto Rico” (Fewkes, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. x, p. 181) and
three other species of the same genus are also known from the West Indies, all col-
lected in water of over 70 fathoms depth. The curious little Holopus, which has been
recorded from the north side of Cuba and from Barbados, may he looked for attached
to rocks in comparatively shallow water.
236 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
ASTEROIDEA.
STARFISHES.
The Fish HawFs collection of starfishes is of considerable interest, although
no new species were found. There are 103 specimens, representing 11 species, but
one-third of these belong to a single species of Astropecten. With one exception
the species are common West Indian forms, and the list is almost a duplicate of one
published in 1898 as “The Asteroids of Jamaica” (Johns Hopkins Univ. Circ.,Nov.,
1898). These starfishes are readily distinguished from each other, as they represent
no less than 7 families, and the following artificial key will make their determination
easy, although it is worthless for any other species.
A. Rays shorter than diameter of disk, the general shape of animal pentagonal.
I. Size large, disk high Pentaceros reticulatus. (7)
II. Size very small, disk flat Asterina folium. (8)
B. Rays much longer than diameter of disk.
I. Rays more or less flattened, and spiny, at least on the sides.
a. Disk large; general form star-shaped; marginal plates of rays on upper side very prominent.
1. Marginal plates without spines ' Astropecten cmtillensis. (1)
2. Marginal plates with erect, conical spines .....Astropecten duplicatus. (2)
b. Disk smaller, rays longer, marginal plates not prominent.
1. Rays 9, flat and long Luidia senegalensis. (5)
2. Rays 5, flat and long, not spiny above Luidia clathrccta. (4)
3. Rays 5, banded alternately with green or purple and yellow, somewhat flattened, long,
and covered with small spines Luidia alternata. (3)
4. Rays 5, not much flattened, short, blunt, and bearing a few (30 to 60) coarse spines... Echinaster crassispina. (11)
II. Disk very small, rays very slender, and almost cylindrical.
a. Rays rather blunt and quite smooth.
1. Groups of openings through skeleton arranged in regular longitudinal rows on rays. . Ophidiaster guildingii. (9)
2. Groups of openings through skeleton, without any definite arrangement Linckia guildingii. (10)
b. Rays tapering, and more or less spiny, at least on sides Zoroasterfulgens. (6)
1. Astropecten antillensis Liitken.
This common starfish occurs throughout the West Indies, on sandy bottoms. It is generally very
light colored, whitish or pale brown, and reaches a diameter of about 175 mm. There are thirty-six
specimens in the Fish Hawk collection, ranging from 6 to 185 mm. across. The smallest has the
paxilhe with 6 or more spinelets, 4 marginal plates on each side of ray, and a A-shaped plate at tip;
infero-marginal plates with one lateral spine, the second just beginning to appear. Specimens 12 to 15
nun. across have the second lateral spine nearly as large as the first, except on the 2 infero-marginal
plates at angle of the rays; the paxilhe spinelets are more graniform. In specimens 24 mm. across the
paxilhe spinelets are nearly granular. Small specimens are easily distinguished from small specimens
of the next species by their flatness, breadth of rays, the paxilhe, and bluntness of lateral spines.
Collected at Arroyo, Mayaguez, and Puerto Real.
2. Astropecten duplicatus (Gray).
This species seems to occur in deeper water than the preceding around Porto Rico, but may be
found with it. There are several differences between them, but the spines on the marginal plates
sufficiently distinguish duplicatus. It reaches the same size and has the same distribution as antillensis,
but varies more in color, being sometimes bright reddish brown.
There are 11 specimens before me, varying in size from 18 to 178 mm. across and in color from
almost white to brownish orange, with feet red, green, or pale brown. The smallest has only 4 or 5
spinelets on each paxil la and no spines on supero-marginal plates.
Collected at stations 6058, 6072, 6084, 6085, 6091, and 6096; none taken in less than 6 fathoms.
3.
Luidia alternata (Say).
One of the handsomest starfishes of the West Indies, often found with the two preceding. It
reaches a large size, 250 mm. across, and its striking colors make it very conspicuous. There is only
one small specimen in the Fish Hawk collection (65 mm. across), from station 6097, in 10 fathoms.
The colors are purplish and yellowish.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 237
4. liuidia clathrata (Say).
Common on sandy bottoms along the southeastern coast of the United States and throughout the
West Indies, also occurring in Bermuda. It reaches a diameter of 200 mm. Color usually grayish
blue above, light yellowish beneath.
Collected at stations 6054 and 6084; 7 specimens, the largest 200 mm. across.
5. Luidia senegalensis (Lamarck).
This curious and interesting starfish occurs on sandy bottoms throughout the West Indies. It
reaches a diameter of over 350 mm. Upper surface grayish blue; lower pale yellow. There are 3
specimens, all with 9 rays. The largest is 365 mm. across. Collected at Catano, Mayaguez, and
Puerto Real.
6. Zoroaster fulgens W. Thomson.
A large and handsome starfish, 225 mm. across, found in deep water throughout the North
Atlantic. Its occurrence in shallow water at San Juan seems quite exceptional. There are 2 very fine
specimens labeled simply “San Juan,” which I have referred to this species, though not without
hesitation. They answer very satisfactorily to Sladen’s description (Challenger Report, vol. xxx), but
not so well to his figures, which, however, differ somewhat from the description, especially in propor-
tions. The specimens before me have the rays 110 mm. long, while the radius of the disc is only
8 mm.
,
therefore R = 14 r. Perrier, in his description of Z. ackleyi, speaks of superficial resemblances,
aborally to Ophidiaster, orally to Luidici, and in these the Porto Rican specimens agree with ackleyi;
but they differ from that species in having only 11 longitudinal rows of plates on the rays, agreeing in
that respect with fulgens. They also agree with the latter species in the granulation of the plates and
in several other minor points, but they are not nearly as spiny as Sladen’s figures. All the differences
together, however, do not seem to me to warrant the separation of the Porto Rican species as new. It
is unfortunate that there are no data to show at what depth these specimens were collected; it hardly
seems possible that they could have been collected along shore or in very shallow water.
7. Pentaceros reticulatus (Linnfeus).
This is perhaps the best known of the West Indian starfishes, being commonly brought back by
sailors and travelers as a curio. It reaches a large size, up to nearly 0.5 meter in diameter. In life
the color is usually yellowish or reddish-orange, but when dried it is more often brown. It occurs on
sandy or muddy bottoms, in shallow water, throughout the West Indies. The Fish Hawk collection
contains 12 small specimens, measuring from 72 to 200 mm. across. They were collected at Mayaguez,
Ponce, and San Juan. Mr. Gray brought back about 50 specimens of medium size, of which 2 have 6
rays and 2 have only 4. The ambulacral furrows of the latter form a perfect cross. Mr. Gray called
my attention to the fact that there are 2 well-marked varieties of this starfish, so different from each
other that, were connecting links wanting, they would easily pass for distinct species. One has the rays
acuminate, the disc very high, the skeleton comparatively light, and the oral surface quite spiny, while
the other has the rays shorter and more rounded, the disc lower, the skeleton very solid, and covered
with large tubercles; oral surface more granular and less spiny.
8.
Asterina folium Ltitken.
A very pretty little starfish, rarely 20 mm. in diameter, found clinging to the under side of rocks,
in shallow water. The color varies greatly, blue being the prevalent shade, but red, yellow, green,
and white specimens often occur. Found from Bermuda southward throughout the West Indies.
One small specimen, 13 mm. across, from the reefs at Ponce, is the only representative in the Fish Hawk
collection.
9.
Ophidiaster guildingii (Gray).
Found among corals and broken rocks throughout the West Indies, but does not seem to be as
common as the following, which it superficially resembles. It rarely reaches a large size, 50 to 60 mm.
across being a good average. The color varies from red and yellow to purplish, brown, and white.
Three average-sized specimens of this species were collected at Ponce.
10.
Linckia guildingii (Gray).
A very common starfish from Bermuda southward, occurring among corals and broken rocks. It
reaches a much larger size than the preceding, a big specimen measuring 200 mm. across; but it is
238 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
generally much less than 100 mm. in diameter. Color very variable; some are light brown with dark
blotches, some chocolate brown, some purplish brown, and some almost black. Rays very variable in
size and number, a specimen with 5 equal rays being a rarity. It is not uncommon to find a single
ray creeping about by itself, and sooner or later such a ray reproduces a new disk and 4 or 5 new rays.
This remarkably variable species is represented by 16 specimens in the Fish Hawk collection and 2 in
Mr. Gray’s collection. Of these, 9 have 6 rays, 6 have 5 rays, 1 has 4 rays, and 2 consist of only 1 ray
each. Very few have the rays even approximately equal, and in no less than 6 specimens 1 ray is so
much larger than the others that it is clearly reproducing a new disk with the rays. In these the
madrepore plate is usually lacking, but in one of them there are 3. Of the other 12 specimens, 9
have 2 madrepore plates, 1 has 1, and the 2 single rays have none.
Collected at Ensenada Honda (Culebra), San Juan, and Ponce.
11. Echinaster crassispina Verrill.
This starfish belongs to an entirely different order from the preceding. It is seldom 100 mm.
across, and is reddish brown or yellowish brown in color. Its exact range is not known, but it is
considered by some writers as identical with E. spinosus, which occurs on muddy bottoms and among
mangroves throughout the West Indies. Eleven specimens from Catafio, San Juan Harbor, and
Puerto Real and stations 6059, 6072, and 6091 vary much in color, from bright yellow brown to dark
red brown, but agree very well in general form and appeai-ance. The largest has R=48, r=ll, R=4lr;
the smallest has R=18, r=4, R=4ijr. In others, R=3r, R=4r, and R=5r. They are all clearly
representatives of Verrill’s species crassispina. Sladen gives crassispina as a synonym of spinosus Retzius,
but these Porto Rican specimens are so easily distinguished from Jamaican specimens of spinosus, that
it seems better to use Verrill’s name. The short, blunt arms, with the rather few, very coarse spines,
are quite characteristic, and none of the specimens before me have the bright-red color of the Jamaican
spinosus.
Several other starfishes may be looked for on the shores of Porto Rico, as they
are common in other parts of the West Indies. They are closely related to those
already listed, and may be found in similar situations. Astropecten articulatus (Say)
may be distinguished from either of the Astropectens given above by the presence of
a small, blunt tubercle on the marginal plates near the tip of the ray, but there are
no spines on these plates. In color and general appearance this species approaches
antillensis very closely. Asterina rninuta (Gray) is smaller and less pentagonal than
folium
,
and the color is pretty uniformly white. The plates along the edges of the
furrows in which the feet lie carry 2 or 3 spines on their free margin (not I or 5, as
in folium), and the plates in the interradii of the upper surface carry only 1 spine
(rarely 2) instead of 3 or I, as in folium.
Another starfish allied to Asterina is Stegnaster wesseli Perrier. This form is
somewhat larger—20 to 35 mm. across and having the disc rather high (4 to 7 mm.).
The whole animal is covered with a thick, granular skin, which conceals the under-
lying plates. The color is whitish. It occurs under rocks with Asterina and Linckia.
If Echinaster spinosus is a different species from E. crassispina
,
probably it also
occurs in Porto Rico. It may be recognized by rather long, tapering arms, R>5r,
numerous small, sharp spines, and its deep but bright red color. It is a handsome
starfish, and should be easily recognized. Possibly Asterias tenuispina,
,
which occurs
in the Bermudas, or some other Asterias
,
may occur in Porto Rico. The genus may
be recognized by the absence of marginal plates, by the irregular meshwork of the
skeleton on the upper side, and the numerous spines of various sizes. A. tenuispina
has a variable number of arms, I to 9, but usually 7. The color is reddish yellow,
with more or less violet marking.
THE ECHHSTODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 239
OPHXUROIDEA.
BRITTLE-STARS, SAND-STARS, SERPENT-STARS, ETC.
The brittle-stars make up by far the largest and most interesting part of the
collection of echinoderms made by the Fish Hawk. There are about 550 specimens,
representing 19 species, of which no less than 7 seem to be new to science. In spite
of the fact that the ophiurans of the West Indies have been long and carefully
studied by some of the best systematists in the world, so great is their number and
so extraordinary their variety that almost every collection of any size adds something
new to the list. This is especially true when collecting with a tangle, for a dredge
or trawl is of little use on a bottom covered with coral, while a tangle quickly gathers
up any objects as rough as the ordinary brittle-star. Of course, on sandy or muddy
bottoms, where the ophiurans are buried, a dredge or trawl is better. Half of the
specially interesting forms collected by the Fish Hawk were taken with the tangle;
all but one or two of the remainder were taken Avit.h the dredge or 7-foot, trawl.
Aside from those Avhich are new, there are several species of very great interest on
account of the considerable extension of their range or the discovery of their pres-
ence in shallow water when previously known only from considerable depths. There
are 17 species which were collected along shore, the remaining 31 having been taken
at depths of from 1 to 231 fathoms. In the study of this collection Professor Yerrill’s
recent papers on West Indian Ophiurans (Trans. Conn. Acad., vol. x, pt. 2) have
been of the greatest value, and his classification and nomenclature have been adopted
in the following list except in one or two instances.
The following very artificial key to the brittle-stars of Porto Rico (on pp. 240-
211) is rendered more or less technical on account of the large number of species and
the close relationship between many of them. Consequently it has been necessary to
make use of certain terms that may not be readily understood by one not familiar
with the group. These terms are herewith briefly defined in order to make the key
thoroughly intelligible:
Adoral plates.—A pair of small plates at the base of the jaws, proximally close to the oral shields.
Arm-comb.—A series of very small teeth-like projections or papillae bordering the plates of the disk at
the base of the arm in the genus Ophioglypha.
Arm-spines.—The spines borne on the side of the arms; the number of arm-spines is the number in a
single vertical row.
Disk.—The body, as distinguished from the arms, especially the upper side of the body.
Distal.—Away from the mouth; toward the tip of the arm.
Jaws.—The five triangular bodies which surround the mouth, each one made up of several plates and
bearing the oral papillae and tooth papillae.
Oral papillae.—The teeth-like projections on the sides of the jaws.
Oral shields.—The large plates lying one in each interradius between the bases of the arms, on the
under side, just outside the bases of the jaws.
Proximal.—Toward the mouth or base of the arms.
Radial shields.—Large plates on the surface of the disk, arranged in pairs at the base of the arms; they
may be very large, or small, or entirely concealed; the two shields of a pair may lie close
together or widely separated.
Tentacle pores.—Openings on under side of arm, through which tentacles project in the living animal.
Tentacle scales.—Small scales, just outside the under-arm plates and close beside the tentacle pores.
Tooth, papilla;
.
—The teeth-like projections at apex of jaw.
Under-arm plates.—The longitudinal row of plates covering the lower surface of the arms.
Upper-arm plates.—The longitudinal roAV of plates covering the upper surface of the arms; usually they
form a single continuous series, but sometimes they are widely separated from each other,
and occasionally there are additional rows composed of supplementary plates on each side.
240 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Key to the Brittle-Stars of Porto Rico.
A. Arms not capable of being vertically coiled; disk sharply set offfrom arms.
I. Arm-spines short, smooth, on distal edge of side arm-plates, closely appressed to arm,
a. Disk covered with fine granules.
ol. Arm-spines 8 to 10, short, broad, equal; arms comparatively short, about 3 times diameter of disk;
radial shields covered; adoral plates covered by granules. . Ophiura brevicauda. (2)
a2. Arm-spines 7 to 8, slender, equal; arms more than 3 times the diameter of disk; radial shields covered;
adoral plates naked Ophiura brevispina. (3)
a3. Arm-spines 8 to 9, the lowest the longest; radial shields covered Ophiura appressa. (1)
ct4. Arm-spines 6 to 8, the lowest the longest; radial shields naked; color ashy gray Ophiura cinerea. (4)
a5. Arm-spines 8 to 9, the lowest the longest; radial shields naked: color purplish red Ophiura rubicunda. (5)
b. Disk covered with scales or plates.
61. Upper arm-plates with supplementary plates on each side; arm spines 4 to 6 Ophiolepis elegans. (6)
62. Upper arm-plates, without supplementary plates.
c. Radial shields separated from genital plates by a pair of plates, which bear on their proximal edge
a row of bead-like papillae, similar to those on distal edge of radial
shield. This makes the radial shields appear as though cracked trans-
versely, each side of the crack bearing a row of little papillae.
Ophiothyreus goesii. (10)
cc. Radial shields not as above.
d. No tentacle-pores beyond the basal arm joints.
e. Disk-scales rough and swollen; an erect spine on each of several basal arm-plates; arm-spines 2.
Ophiomusium sculptum. (14)
ee. Disk-scales smooth; under arm plates persisting nearly to end of arm; arm-spines 3.
Ophiomusium eburneum elegans. (13)
eee. Disk-scales smooth, rather few; no under-arm plates beyond third or fourth; arm-spines 4 to 5.
Ophiomusium validum. (15)
(id. Tentacle pores to end of arm.
/. Not more than 2 tentacle-scales.
g. Small separated radial shields; 4 to 5 arm-spines, lowest longest Opliiozona impressa. (7)
gg. Radial shields large, slightly separated; arm-spines 3 (rarely 4) subequal ... Opliiozona nivea compta. (8)
ggg. Radial shields large, with a blunt spine on the outer end; arm-spines 3 Opliiozona tessellata. (9)
ff. Tentacle-scales 3 or more.
h. Papillse of arm-comb small, almost bead-like i . . . Ophioglypha robusta. (12)
hh. Papillse of arm-comb sharp and cylindrical Ophioglypha ljungmani. (11)
II. Arm-spines rather long, more or less at an angle to arm, and often rough or thorny.
a. Disk covered with little granules.
ol. Disk granules coarse and uneven; no tooth papillse; basal oral papillse very wide; arm-spines 3.
Ophiostigma isacanthum. (40)
a2. Disk granules even; numerous tooth-papillse; arm-spines 4 to 6.
b. Two tentacle-scales Ophiocoma cchinata. (19)
bb. One tentacle-scale.
c. Color almost black; under side and especially tentacles rusty red Ophiocoma piisei. (21)
cc. Color light brown; arms banded with darker Ophiocoma pumila. (20)
aa. Disk more or less covered with scattered spines, spinules or thorny stumps.
61. No oral papillse; arm-spines 5 to 10, long, glassy, thorny.
c. Disk beset with numerous trifid stumps, among which there are often a few slender spines.
Ophiothrix angulata. (16)
cc. Disk beset with slender spines Ophiothrix mrstedii. (17)
ccc. Disk with a few long slender spines; arm-spines very long, slender, rough and glassy. . Ophiothrix suensonii. (18)
6 2. Oral papillse few, rarely more than 2 on a side; arm-spines 4 to 7, smooth to the naked eye.
cl. Size large, disk over 10 mm.; color very dark; arms 5, very long; arm-spines 7 Ophiactis longibrachia. (25)
del. Size small, disk not often over 7 mm.; colors green and white; arms usually 6, rather
short; arm-spines 7 Ophiactis krebsii. (24)
cldd. Size small; colors purple and white; 6 arms; arm-spines 4 Ophiactis loricata. (26)
6 3 Oral papillae numerous, 4 or more on each side.
e. Oral shield touches the side arm-plate on each side.
/. Radial shields long, narrow, and partly covered.
g. Arms, 5. Rows of spines closely approximate dorsally Ophiacantha bidentala. (41)
gg. Arms, 6. Rows of spines not approximate dorsally Ophiacantha ophiactoides. (42)
ff. Radial shields broad and thin, one overlapping the other Ophioplinthaca spinissima. (45)
ee. Oral shield separated from the side arm-plate by a corner of the adoral-plate Ophiopristis hirsuta. (44)
e. Disk covered With scales or smooth skin, without spines or thorny stumps.
« 1. Upper arm-plates with supplementary plates on each side.
li. Color pale bluish, yellowish, or whitish; arms yellowish, banded with brown-;
usually a network of fine brown lines on disk Ophionereis reticulata. (39)
li.h. Color reddish-brown; arms banded with darker Ophionereis dubia. (37)
hhli. Color olive-green, spotted with yellowish Ophionereis olivacea. (38)
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 241
c 2. Upper arm-plates without supplementary plates.
i. Arm-spines long, glassy, numerous (8); size large (disk over 10 mm. in diameter);
color dark brown Ophialcrea glabra. (43)
U. Arm-spines rather short, not glassy, numerous; size medium; color various, but.
disk usually speckled; scales very minute.
k. Disk reddish or gray, spotted with black; arm-spines 6 to 7 Ophiopsila rilsei. (23)
kk. Disk grayish, spotted with orange; arm-spines 6 to 11 Ophiopsila fulva. (22)
in. Arm-spines short, 3 to 7; size small; arms long; color of disk grayish, arms very
light; scales very distinct.
l. Oral papillae 2, one on each side at base of jaw and 1 at the tip; middle of jaw
edge bare; arm-spines 4 or more.
to. Tentacle-scale 1; radial shields twice as long as broad; 4 to 5 short, blunt
arm-spines Amphiura slimpsoui. ( 2.8
)
toot. Tentacle-scales 2; radial shields three times as long as broad: 6 tapering
arm-spines , imphiuraflcxuosa. (27)
nnnm. Tentacle-scales 2, at base of arm ; radial shields twice as long as broad; 6 to
7 short arm-spines, 2 next to the lowest with little hooks on the end.
Aviphmra bihamuld. (29)
U. Oral papillae 3 on each side, the distal one very wide; arm-spines 3.
n. Arms very long and slender, more than 8 times diameter of disc Amphipholis gocsii. (30)
nn. Arms less than 8 times diameter of disk.
o. Radial shields short and joined Amphipholis limbata. (31)
oo. Radial shields long and narrow Amphipholis subtilis. (32)
Ul. Oral papillae 3 or 4, subequal or the distal one smallest; arm-spines 3, rarely 4.
p.
Tentacle-scale 1 Amphiodia pulchella. (34)
pp. Tentacle-scales 2.
r. Oral shield elongate; arm-spines more or less acute Amphiodia nisei. (35)
it. Oral shield ovate, broadest proximally; arm-spines flat and wide at tipi.
Amphiodia planispina. (33)
till. Oral papillae 5, unequal ; radial shields widely separated; arm-spines 3.
Amphioplus steams ii. (3(1)
c 3. Upper arm-plates altogether wanting or consisting of a number of small indistinct pieces.
s. Upper-arm plates wanting; size small, disk 5 to (1 mm. in diameter.
Ophioscol<:£ serraias. (46)
ss. Upper-arm plates indistinct, of several pieces on each side; size large,
disk 15 to 25 mm. in diameter Opliiomyxa Jtaccida. (47)
B. Anns slender
,
capable of being vcrliealliy coiled.; disk very small, not sharply set offrom arms.
I. Color yellowish-brown: arms covered by a granulated skin Astmsehema oHyarles. (49)
II. Color brown and white; arms ringed by regular raised belts of close-set nodules I stroporpa amvulala. (48)
The user of this key must be cautioned that it is of no value except for the species
included. Moreover, in the case of large genera like Opluoglypha, Ojjh/ormcsmjn,
Ampliiura
,
and Ojjhiacantlia, several species might answer to the very brief descrip-
tions given to the Porto Rican forms, though the attempt has been made to have these
descriptions reasonably exclusive. It is believed, however, that the ordinary littoral
forms can be easily and accurately determined by means of this key. The charac-
ters show much more plainly in dry specimens than in fresh or alcoholic material,
and this is particularly true of the covering of the disk and the upper and under
arm-plates.
2d—r. C. B. 1900—16
242 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
1.
Ophiura appressa Say.
Very common from South Carolina and Bermuda to Brazil, found in similar situations with
0. brevispina, which it closely resembles in size and color. Oral shields usually wider than long, but
even this difference is not very constant. Small specimens of the two species are distinguishable with
difficulty.
There are 27 specimens of this species in the Fish Hawk collection, varying greatly in size and color.
Taken at Ponce, Ensenada Honda (Culebra), Caballo Blanco and Guanica, and at stations 6088 and
6093. Mr. Gray took this species at San Juan, also.
2.
Ophiura brevicauda Lyman.
This handsome ophiuran is common in shallow water from Florida eastward throughout the
West Indies, found under stones on sandy bottom. The disk may be 20 mm. in diameter. The color
varies to an extraordinary degree from green or blue and white to pink and white, but most of the Porto
Rican specimens are cobalt-blue and white.
0. brevicauda is represented by 25 specimens from Ponce, Ensenada Honda (Culebra), Caballo
Blanco, Puerto Real, and station 6076. Mr. Gray took it at San Juan.
3. Ophiura brevispina Say.
This is also a variable and handsome species found with the preceding and not always easily
distinguished from it. It does not reach quite such a large size and the prevailing colors are shades of
green, gray, and red. The oral shields are usually ovoid in outline.
This species is widely distributed from Bermuda to Brazil. Twenty-seven specimens from Porto
Rico vary in color from uniform grayish white to pink and white or green and light brown. They were
collected at Ensenada Honda (Culebra,) Arroyo, Puerto Real, and stations 6079, 6080, 6086, and 6096.
4. Ophiura cinerea Lyman.
This rather somber-colored brittle-star is found throughout the West Indies from Florida to
Brazil, occurring under rocks with the preceding forms. It reaches a large size (25 mm. in diameter),
but the arms are comparatively short, not more than 4 times the diameter of disk. The color varies
little, except in intensity. In large specimens the upper arm-plates are usually broken into several
pieces.
Sixty-three specimens of 0. cinerea were obtained, chiefly from Ensenada Honda (Culebra), 2
from Puerto Real. The largest has the disk 23 mm. in diameter and arms 67 mm. long. Mr. Gray
found the species common at San Juan.
5. Ophiura rubicunda Lyman.
This large and handsome species seems to be the least common of the five members of the genus
found in Porto Rico. It has been taken at the Tortugas, Cape Florida, St. Thomas, and Colon, and
probably occurs throughout the West Indies, being found under or among stones and coral in shallow
water. It reaches a diameter of 25 mm., and the arms are 5 to 6 times as long. The color varies
somewhat, but is always more or less reddish.
Only 3 specimens were obtained by the Fish Hawk, but one of them is a very fine one, the disk
23 mm. in diameter, the arms 135 mm. long. It was taken at Ensenada Honda (Culebra), while the
other 2 are from Ponce and station 6097.
6. Ophiolepis elegans Lutken.
A handsome species, reaching a diameter of 18 mm., though usually smaller; the arms are only
2 to 3 times as long. The upper surface is variegated brown, gray, and white; beneath it is pure
white; the arms are banded.
O. elegans is found from South Carolina southward through the West Indies in water of from 2
to 30 fathoms depth. A single specimen was taken at station 6086. The disk is 8 mm. across and
the arms are only 17 mm. long. There are 4 arm-spines on most of the joints, but 1 has 5, and a
few have only 3.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 243
7. Ophiozona impressa (Lutken.
)
From Florida to St. Thomas and Jamaica, usually in shallow water along shore, under or among
stones or coral. It reaches a diameter of 15 mm., the arms 4 to 5 times as long. Vaiiegated dark
brown and white above, pale yellowish brown beneath; arms regularly banded. Five specimens, all
from Ponce.
8. Ophiozona nivea compta Verrill.
This species occurs throughout the West Indies in water of from 50 to 400 fathoms. It reaches a
diameter of 16 mm., the arms 2 or 3 times as long. The color is whitish. In typical nivea the radial
shields are not separated.
One specimen from station 6050.
9.
Ophiozona tessellata Lyman.
This easily recognized species is found throughout the West Indies, but only in deep water, 60 to
300 fathoms. It is smaller than the jrreceding, but similar to it in color.
There is a single Ophiozona from station 6067, which is evidently this species.
10. Ophiothyreus goesii Ljungman.
This curious little ophiuran (under 10 mm. in diameter) is plain grayish-white in color. It has
been taken at various stations in the West Indies, but only in water of over 80 fathoms depth.
One small specimen from station 6067.
11. Ophioglypha ljungmani Lyman.
Previously taken only off the coast of Brazil, where it was found on muddy bottom in 350 fathoms.
The color is gray. The disk reaches a diameter of 8.5 mm.; the arms about 5 times as long. The
Porto Rican specimens were taken on the north and west sides of the island on a bottom of sand and
mud in 20 to 45 fathoms.
There are 5 specimens of an Ophioglypha from stations 6051, 6062, and 6064, which are probably
this species. They differ from Lyman’s description only in the shape of the under-arm plates and in
the presence of but i oral papillae (3 on each side). They are certainly nearer to this species than to
lepida, which was taken by the Challenger off the Bermudas and in other parts of the western Atlantic,
and which belongs to the same section of the genus. The type of ljungmani was taken in 350 fathoms,
9 degrees south of the equator, so that its presence in shallow water off Porto Rico is certainly note-
worthy. The largest specimen before me has a disk 6.5 mm. in diameter and arms about 20 mm. long.
The type of ljungmani had the disk 8.5 mm. in diameter and arms 45 mm. long.
12.
Ophioglypha robusta Ayres.
This northern species is quite small, rarely 10 mm. in diameter; the arms about 4 times as long.
The color iii alcohol is grayish white but the living animal is said to be gray, reddish, or violet, with
the arms barred. In the north it occurs from low-water mark to 18 fathoms, but the specimens from
Porto Rico were all dredged in water nearly 100 fathoms deep.
A species of Ophioglypha was taken at stations 6050 and 6067, 1 specimen at the former and 14 at
the latter. They seem to belong to this northern species, though differing slightly in the shape of the
under-arm plates and radial shields. But all the specimens are small (3 to 5 mm. in diameter) and
they vary more or less among themselves. It is possible they are the young of 0. acerrater, a common
West Indian species, of which no specimens were taken.
13.
Ophiomusium eburneum elegans Verrill.
This species occurs on rocky bottoms in 75 to 500 fathoms, from Cuba to Porto Rico and south-
ward. Color, whitish. It reaches a diameter of 12 mm.
;
the arms about 4 times as long.
There are 12 specimens of Ophiomusium eburneum, 11 from station 6070 and 1 from 6063, in the
Fish Hawk collection, all belonging to the variety described by Verrill from “off Havana.” They vary
in size from 5 to 10 mm. in diameter.
244 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.14.
Ophiomusium sculptum Verrill.
This species has been taken previously only on coral bottom, in 100 fathoms of water, off
Habana, Cuba. The color is very pale grayish white. It reaches a diameter of 9 mm., the arms
not quite 3 times as long.
This Ophiomusium is represented in the collection by 4 specimens from station 6067. They agree
perfectly with VerrilPs description, except that there are accessory spines on the first 3 or 4 arm
joints, of which he does not speak. The differences between this species and acuferum Lyman seem
to me to be very unimportant.
15.
Ophiomusium validum Ljungman.
Taken at several West Indian stations in water varying from 60 to 1,500 fathoms. Koehler
reports it also from the Indian Ocean “ north of Lacquedives. ” Yellowish white in color and very stiff
and hard in appearance. It is somewhat less than 10 mm. in diameter; the arms about 4 times as long.
There are 4 very fine specimens of an Ophiomusium from station 6070, which I have referred to
this species after much hesitation. They differ from the description and figures of validum as given by
Lyman (Challenger Report, vol. v) in several important particulars, but the differences are not such as
to warrant the establishment of a new species. There are more plates on the upper surface, a few more
on the oral surface, the radial shields are separated by a row of plates, and there are 5 arm-spines, of
which the lowest is very small and close to the fourth, which is the longest. These specimens are thus
intermediate between validum and lymani, but are clearly much nearer to the former.
16.
Ophiothrix angulata Ayres.
This small brittle star (7 to 10 mm. in diameter) is very common from Chesapeake Bay to Rio
Janeiro, occurring chiefly among corals and seaweeds. The color is extraordinarily variable, usually
some shade of purple or brown, with a very distinct longitudinal white stripe on the upper side of the
arm; sometimes, however, this stripe is dark or even entirely wanting.
Eighty specimens of this widely distributed and very variable species were taken at Ponce,
Boqueron Bay, Ensenada Honda (Culebra), San Juan, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Guanica, and at stations
6064, 6065, 6067, 6072, 6075, 6079, 6080, 6087, 6096, and 6098. The variety of color is extraordinary.
While nearly all have the white longitudinal stripe on the tipper side of the arm, one has the stripe
very dark, and in a few it is wholly wanting. The ground color is usually deep purple or pale violet,
but some are pale brown or yellowish white. A number have only prickly stumps on the disk and no
longer spines. The smallest specimen is only 2 mm. in diameter and has arms 8 mm. long. In it the
primary plates are very distinct, the radial shields are lai-ge and wholly bare, and there are only a
few trifid stumps on the disk, and these are raised on little knobs. The most striking variety was taken
at station 6063, where 2 medium-sized specimens were found in 75 fathoms. They are uniform pale
brown and the arm-spines are very long, but there seem to be no other characters by Avhich to dis-
tinguish them from angulata.
17.
Ophiothrix oerstedii Lutken.
Common throughout the West Indies, in the same situations as the preceding. It is a little
larger, 10 to 12 mm. in diameter, and the arms are more slender. Color, usually rich green or blue,
the arms transversely striped with white on the upper side. A well-preserved specimen is a hand-
some object. Specimens in this collection from Puerto Real and from station 6096 have the ground
color dark purple, like angulata, instead of the usual dark blue or green.
Fifteen specimens were collected at Ponce, Arroyo, Ensenada Honda (Culebra), Caballo Blanco,
Mayaguez, and Puerto Real, and stations 6065 and 6096.
18.
Ophiothrix suensonii Lutken.
One of the handsomest and most notable of West Indian brittle stars, collected at various points
southward as far as Brazil, but apparently not so common as the two preceding species. It reaches a
large size, up to 14 mm. in diameter, and the arms may be 5 to 6 times as'long. Color, pale lavender
or bright rose-purple, marked with purple and with a broad longitudinal stripe of purple on the upper
side of the arms. The whole structure is very delicate and glassy. Five specimens were obtained, 1
from Boqueron Bay being the most beautiful object in the whole collection. The disk is 14 mm. in
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 245
diameter, and the arms are 75 mm. long with spines 7.5 mm. The whole structure is very delicate,
and the dark longitudinal stripe on the arm is very conspicuous. Of the other specimens 2 are from
station 6067 and 2 from station 6079.
19.
Ophiocoma echinata L. Agassiz.
This large brittle-star is very common from Bermuda and Florida southward to Brazil, occurring
under and among rocks and coral along shore and on the reefs. It reaches a diameter of 32 mm., with
arms 4 to 5 times as long. The color varies considerably; the disk may be uniform brown or black, or
it may be more or less blotched and spotted with gray or white; the arms are usually black. There
is also much variation in the size of the arm-spines.
One-fifth of the collection is made up of specimens of this large and very common species. Of
the 109, more than half were collected at Ponce and the remainder are from Fajardo, Ensenada Honda
(Culebra), Caballo Blanco, and station 6096. Mr. Gray collected a large number of this species at San
Juan.
20.
Ophiocoma pumila butken.
Smaller than the preceding, the disk seldom exceeding 15 mm., but found in similar situations
throughout the same range. The colors vary somewhat, but the banded arms are very characteristic.
Sixteen small specimens of this species were collected at Ponce and Ensenada Honda (Culebra),
and at stations 6076, 6077, 6080, 6095, and 6098. Mr. Gray took one specimen at San Juan.
21. Ophiocoma riisei Lutken.
Found with O. echinata, from which it is easily distinguished by the rusty-red appearance of the
underside of the arms. It is less variable in color, the disk being uniformly black or brown. It has
been taken in deeper water, even up to 200 fathoms.
No specimens of this common West Indian species were taken by the Fish Hawk, but Mr. Gray
collected 4 fine specimens at San Juan.
22. Ophiopsila fulva Lyman.
Recorded from various parts of the West Indies in water of from 13 to 175 fathoms depth.
Tentacle scales similar to those of the following species. There are 3 specimens of an Ophiopsila
from station 6067 and 1 from 6080 which are apparently this species, although no one of them agrees
perfectly with Lyman’s description. The best specimen has the disk gray, with orange spots, as in the
type, and 4 oral papillae and 9 tooth papillae, but there are only 6 arm-spines, which are flat and
narrow, but not acute. The other 3 specimens have 8 or 9 similar but sharper arm-spines, but the
tooth-papillae vary from 5 to 9 and the oral papillae from 4 to 6; the upper surface of the disk is
wanting in all. The upper-arm plates vary from square, with rounded corners, to long, narrow, and
rounded in front. Verrill proposes to separate this species from Ophiopsila and place it as the type of
a new genus, Amphipsila, in the family Ophiacanthidx, because of certain differences in the covering of
the disk and the arrangement of the tooth papillae. My specimens of fulva, however, agree essentially
in these respects with Ophiopsila riisei, and the very characteristic appearance and arrangement of
the tentacle scales, in which the two species also agree, seem to me too important to be ignored.
Judged by the specimens before me, Ophiopsila fulva is much more nearly allied to O. riisei than to
Amphipsila macuhita Verrill. The latter is clearly not an Ophiopsila, and should be considered the type
of the new genus. On this point Yerrill’s papers conflict. In his report on the Oplviuroidea of the
Bahama expedition (Bull. Univ. Iowa, vol. 1, No. 6, Sept., 1899, p. 55) he says: “Amphipsila, gen.
nov. Type A. fulva (Lym. ).” Then follows a characterization of the new genus which will not apply
at all to 0. fulva Lyman. In his other paper (Tran. Conn. Acad., vol. x, pt. 2, Oct., 1899, p. 348) he
says: “Amphipsila Verrill, 1899a, p. 55. Type A. maculata Ver.” Then follows a copy of his original
description of the genus, to which is added the following statement:
“I have separated this genus from Ophiopsila, as understood by Lyman, for he included in the
latter A. fulva (Lym.), which is closely allied to our type species.”
This latter statement does not seem to me justifiable, as I have carefully examined Lyman’s
original description (with which one of my specimens agrees admirably, except in the number of arm-
spines), and it does not seem to me that fulva Lym. is at all closely allied to A. maculata Ver.
246 BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
All of the 6 specimens of Ophiopsila before me agree in having 2 tentacle scales, of which the
outer is from one-fourth to one-lialf the length of the inner. The latter is as long or longer than the
arm joint and is generally spatula-shaped, but in 2 specimens is narrower and more pointed. The
shape of the upper-arm plates varies greatly, as already mentioned, and the under-arm plates also vary
in shape and distinctness. The oral shields also vary from long diamond-shape, longer than broad, to
broad shield-shape, much broader than long. There is some slight variation in the number and size
of the oral papillae and tooth papillae, but in general the specimens agree fairly well.
23. Ophiopsila riisei Lutken.
This species occurs throughout the West Indies and south to Brazil in shallow water among
rocks or coral. There are 2 tentacle scales, of which the inner is very long and spatula-shaped. One
very good specimen of this form from station 6079, and another, much smaller and broken, from 6080.
The latter has the disk gray, with black spots, and the upper-arm plates, instead of being almost square,
are twice as long as wide and the outer end rounded.
24. Ophiactis krebsii Lutken.
This is a common little ophiuran from Bermuda and South Carolina to Rio Janeiro, among corals
in shallow water. There are generally 6 arms, 5 to 6 times the diameter of the disk. Oral papillae
usually 2 on a side. There are 6 small ophiurans in the collection, which I have referred to this
species. Of these, 4 from Mayaguez reefs and 1 from Playa de Ponce have 6 rays each and the usual
green and white coloring; but 1 from station 6080 has only 5 rays, and the colors are pale yellow and
brown. In all other respects it agrees with the others. All are small, with disks from l\ to 4 mm. in
diameter.
25.
Ophiactis longibrachia, nov. sp. (PI. 14, figs. 1 to 5.)
Rays 5, long and slender. Disk 13 mm. in diameter; arms 100 mm. long; . • . r= 7\ d. Arms 2
mm. wide at base. Disk almost circular, hiding the bases of the arms, covered with small but thickish
scales, which are evident only when dry. Over the whole surface of the disk are scattered numerous
very small, almost smooth, blunt spines, and these also cover the interbrachial spaces below. Radial
shields long and rather narrow, separated at the inner ends, but touching at the outer extremities,
smooth and naked. Upper-arm plates granular, wide and short, 3 or 4 times as wide as long, rounded
at the sides. Arm-spines 7 (figs. 3 to 5) except on the first few joints the next to the uppermost
generally longest, the others regularly shorter to the lowest, which is a little longer than the single
large short and blunt tentacle scale. Under-arm plates almost square, with lateral edges markedly
raised. Oral shields small, much broader than long, with a blunt angle inward. Adoral plates large,
somewhat longer than wide, outer end the wider, meeting each other within. Oral papillae 1 or 2, at
the distal end of mouth slit, above the oral tentacle, separated, somewhat bluntly conical. Genital
slits 2 in each interbrachial space. Color above, disk almost olack, with outer ends of radial shields and
the little spines whitish (under a lens), arms brown, tinged with purple; beneath, disk black, mouth
parts and under side of arms at bast pale yellowish; outwardly the under side of arms gradually
becomes darker, until it is the same shade as above.
The only known specimen of this species was taken at station 6096, off Vieques Island, in 6 fathoms
of water, on a coral bottom. It comes near to 0. dispar of Verrill, which it resembles in some important
particulars. It differs from that species in its much larger size, greater length of arms, markedly
different color, and size and shape of the adoral plates, while there are slight differences in the arm-
spines and oral papilla* and in the scaling of the disk.
The West Indian species of Ophiactis need careful revision from a large series of specimens, and
when that is done this, as well as dispar
,
may prove to be the adult form of some one of the previously
known species. The name given has been selected because of the unusually long arms.
26.
Ophiactis loricata Lyman.
This uncommon species was originally described from Florida, where it was taken in water from
10 to 110 fathoms deep. The oral papillae are 2 on each side. There is a single small Ophiactis from
Mayaguez, which is clearly not krebsii and is probably this species. It is very small, with no disk
spines, 6 arms with 4 arm-spines, and 2 mouth papillae. The color is purple and white variegated.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RTOO. 24727.
Amphiura flexuosa Lyman.
This species was previously known only from Brazil. The Porto Rican specimen was taken at
station 6066, on sand and mud, in Mayaguez harbor, at a depth of 162 to 171 fathoms. It answers well
to the description, except that the next to the lowest arm-spine is bent.
28.
Amphiura stimpsoni Lutken.
This species was known from the West Indies and Brazil in water of 10 to 35 fathoms. The Porto
Rican specimen was collected on the reefs at Mayaguez.
29.
Amphiura hihamula, nov. sp. (PI. 14, tigs. 6 to 9.)
Arms 5, very long and slender. Disk 5 mm. in diameter, clearly indented in the interbrachial arcs;
arms about 60 mm. long; .\ R=12d. Arms scarcely 1 mm. wide at base. Disk covered with rather
large smooth scales. Radial shields short and broad, about twice as long as wide, completely separated.
Upper-arm plates very broadly oval, rounded in front and wider there than behind; about twice as wide
as long. Arm-spines 6 or 7 (figs. 8 to 9), the uppermost shortest; the fourth and fifth, or fifth and
sixth, are longest (about equal to the joint) and have 2 prominent little hooks at the tip; all somewhat
flattened and minutely spiny. As the distal end of the arm is approached, the upper-arm plates
become smaller and the spines fewer, until at the tips the plates are very small, almost circular, and
widely separated by the side-arm plates, and there are only 3 spines, subequal and shorter than the
joint. Under-arm plates almost square, slightly concave in front, more or less convex behind, becoming
longer and narrower as the tip of an i is approached. Tentacle scales, 2 at base of arm, quite small; 1
on the proximal, and 1 on the inner side of tentacle. Beyond the first third of arm there is only 1
scale, the one on inner side of tentacle having disappeared. Oral shields longer than broad, suddenly
widened at the proximal end. Adoral plates large, almost triangular, meeting within but not without.
Oral papilke as in typical Amphiura, a pair at the tip of the jaw and one rather large one at the distal end.
Above and in front of the latter is a small sharp-pointed oral tentacle scale. Genital slits, 2 in each
interbrachial space. Color of disk above very light gray; arms and mouth parts very pale cream color.
There is a single very good specimen of this interesting form from station 6050, at entrance to
San Juan Harbor, on sand and mud in 91 fathoms. Its nearest allies seem to be verticillata Ljn. from
Galapagos Islands and divaricata Ljn. from the East Indies. Its nearest West Indian ally is apparently
A. otteri Ljn., but it differs decidedly from that species in the radial shields and in the arm-spines.
The name hihamula refers to the two little hooks on the lower arm-spines.
30. Amphipholis goesii Ljungman.
Previously known from Cape Hatteras southward to Brazil, in water from 14 to 280 fathoms deep.
The Porto Rican specimens were taken on sandy or, more usually, muddy bottom, in comparatively
shallow water (4£ to 25 fathoms), but twice at greater depths. It seems to be very common at the
west end of Porto Rico. Sixty specimens of this species from stations 6054, 6056, 6057, 6058, 6059, 6060,
6061, 6062, and 6063. The largest has the disk missing, but the arm measures 160 mm. The smallest
has the disk only 2£ mm. ; the radial shields are scarcely visible, and the oral papillae are of nearly
equal size.
31. Amphipholis limbata (Grube).
This species was previously known only from Rio Janeiro. The Porto Rican specimen, which is
a very good one, was taken at station 6053, in 4 to 7\ fathoms of water, on fine sand, in San Juan Harbor.
32. Amphipholis subtilis Ljungman.
This, like the preceding, has been previously known only from Rio Janeiro. The Porto Rican
specimens, which are small and badly damaged, were taken at Mayaguez, 2 in shallow water and 1 in
75 fathoms.
33.
? Amphiodia planispina (von Martens).
A single specimen of an amphiuran from station 6065, near Mayaguez, may represent this species,
but as the disk is wanting, it is impossible to identify it positively. It is clearly an Amphiodia, and
has 3 very broad and blunt arm-spines; the color is reddish, while the tentacles are dark brown,
making them very conspicuous.
248 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.34.
Amphiodia pulehella (Lyman).
There is a somewhat damaged specimen, probably of this species, which was collected at San
Antonio Bridge, San Juan. It agrees with the description of pulehella, except that the arm-plates
(either dorsal or ventral) are not separated from each other. The species has hitherto been known
only from the coast of Florida, in 18 to 39 fathoms.
35. Amphiodia riisei (Lutken).
Reported from the West Indies and Brazil, in shallow water. The three Porto Rican specimens
were taken in 170 fathoms at station 6066, near Mayaguez.
36. Amphioplus stearnsii (Ives).
Previously known only from the Bahamas, in shallow water. The single Porto Rican specimen,
which is in good condition, was taken in 97 to 120 fathoms at station 6067, near Mayaguez. The disk
is 5 mm. in diameter, the rays 50 mm. long.
37.
Ophionereis dubia Lyman.
This species is about the same size as 0. reticulata and is chiefly distinguished by its color. It is
found in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. There is one very good specimen of an Ophionereis
and the ray of another from station 6090, which I have referred, after long hesitation, to this European
species. The disk is 6 mm. and the ray 42 mm. ; the single arm belonged to an individual nearly twice
that size. The color is reddish-brown, the arms banded with darker. The scaling of the disk is very
fine. The difference in color between these individuals and 0. reticulata is very striking, but I could
find no difference by which to separate them from dulda, though the latter has not been recorded
from the West Indies hitherto.
38.
Ophionereis olivacea, nov. sp. (PI. 14, figs. 10 to 13.)
Arms 5, rather slender and tapering. Disk about 6 mm. in diameter, almost pentagonal; arms
about 33 mm. long; . ' . R=5id. Arms abruptly narrowed where they join disk, but 5 mm. from
disk they are 1 mm. wide. Disk covered with numerous small scales, one at the center and a few
near the margins being larger than the others. Radial shields narrow, exposed for about one-half
millimeter, very widely separated. Upper-arm plates near base of arm small, imperfectly triangular,
with rounded corners; farther out they become more diamond-shaped and are longer than broad; at
the middle of arm they are broader than long, somewhat 5-sided, with the distal end narrower and
rounded; near the tip they become small and almost perfectly hexagonal. - Accessory upper-arm plates
large and. prominent; the first few joints have 2 or more such plates on each side, but farther out
there is only 1. Arm-spines 3 (figs. 12, 13), of which the uppermost is blunt and equals the joint;
the middle one is nearly twice as long, at least at the middle of arm, and is broadened and rounded at
the tip; the lowest is acute and equals the uppermost. Under-arm plates at first almost square, but
soon become longer than broad, slightly rounded in front. Tentacle scale 1, very large. Oral shields
small, oval, the madrepore plate obviously larger than the others. Adoral plates small, irregularly
triangular, pointed and not meeting within; blunt and not meeting without; separating the oral
shields from the side-arm plates. Oral papillte 4 on each side, the outermost decidedly the widest.
Above, and largely concealed by the latter, is the pointed oral tentacle scale. Genital slits 2 in each
interbrachial space. Color above olive green, spotted on the disk with yellow; arms banded with a
darker shade of green; below the color is very light, the interbrachial spaces being pale yellowish
marked with olive, while the mouth parts and under side of arms are almost white; outside of oral
shield is a patch of dark brown, as in reticulata.
The single specimen of this interesting species (from station 6096) differs very markedly from
0. reticulata, not only in the color (and in this respect reticulata is very constant) but in the coarser
scaling of the disk, the shape of the upper-arm plates, and in the size and shape of the second arm-
spines. The same characters serve to distinguish it from the preceding species, which was taken at
a neighboring station. The name selected has been chosen on account of the striking color.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 24939.
Ophionereis reticulata (Say).
This handsome ophiuran is very abundant in clean sand in shallow water, especially under
stones, from Bermuda and Florida to Rio Janeiro. It reaches a diameter of 12 nun., the arms about
7 times as long. Twenty-one specimens, all small, collected at Ensenada Honda (Culebra), Caballo
Blanco, Puerto Real, and Guanica Bay, and at stations 6079, 6080, and 6088.
40.
Ophiostig'ma isacanthum (Say).
This small ophiuran (disk 5 to 6 mm., arms 20 to 30 mm.) occurs sparingly from Bermuda to the
southern West Indies along shore and in water up to 100 fathoms deep. Its color varies from white
to brown, more or less variegated, but is usually very light. The arms are usually 5 but sometimes 6 in
number; the latter specimens may be young. There are 4 small specimens, all from station 6079. The
smallest has 6 arms and a very small disk.
41.
Ophiacantha bidentata (Retzius.)
A medium-sized ophiuran, light brown in color, previously known from the North Atlantic.
A single small specimen from station 6070 seems to belong to this species.
42.
Ophiacantha ophiactoides, nov. sp. (PL 15, figs. 5 to 8.)
Arms 6, rather short and thick. Disk hexagonal, about 2 mm. in diameter; arms about 8 mm.
long; .'. R=4<7. Arms about one-half millimeter wide at base. Disk covered with rather coarse scales
and bearing a number of small, thorny spinules. Radial shields widely separated and only exposed
at the tips. Upper-arm plates broadly oval, becoming triangular at the tip of arm, rounded in front
and sharply pointed behind, completely separated by the side-arm plates. Arm-spines 4 ( figs. 7, 8),
approximately equal and smooth to the eye, but very spiny under a lens, about equaling a joint.
Under-arm plates somewhat pentagonal, with rounded corners and an angle directed inward. Tentacle
scale 1, small. Oral shields very large, rounded without, bluntly pointed within, much wider than
long. Adoral plates long and narrow, wider at the outer end, not meeting without or within. Oral
papillae not very large, smooth, 3 on each side and 2 at tip of jaw, and a large oral tentacle scale at
distal end. Genital slits 2 in each interbrachial space. Color, very pale yellowish-green, the arms
banded with brown, each band about twice as wide as the intervening space.
One specimen of this curious little ophiuran was taken at station 6076, on coral sand, in 10
fathoms, at Gallardo Bank, Porto Rico. It does not seem to be very nearly allied to any previously
known species, but as it is probably immature, it may prove to be the young of some other form. It
resembles Ophiactis krebsii superficially, especially on the upper surface, and for that reason I have
called it ophiactoides.
43.
Ophialcaea glabra, nov. sp. (PI. 15, figs. 1 to 4.)
Arms 5, rather stout. Disk pentagonal, about 12 mm. in diameter. Arms all broken, 2\ mm.
wide at base. Disk covered with a thick, rather rough skin, which covers a very fine scaling visible
only when the specimen is very dry. Radial shields wholly covered, but showing indistinctly through
the skin, large and separated. Upper-arm plates broadly in contact, much wider than long, somewhat
narrowed proximally, with rather acute outer angles; on one arm they are divided into 2 by an
irregular line, perhaps due to an accident. Arm-spines 8 (figs. 3, 4), glassy, flattened, blunt, and
slightly rough; approximately equal, about half as long again as the joint. Under-arm plates almost
square, slightly convex distally. Tentacle scales 2, very large, about equaling the under-arm plate.
Oral shield large, elliptical, much broader than long, touching the first side-arm plate. Adoral plates
long and narrow, touching within, wider and widely separated without. Oral papillae 6 or 7 in a
single row, with 1 median tooth papilla; all long, acute, and rather narrow. On the face of the
jaw is a little cluster of very small, round knobs. Genital slits prominent, 2 in each interbrachial
space. Color, uniform dark brown above; on the interbrachial spaces below are a few scattered spots
and blotches of yellowish white; under side of arm and mouth parts whitish.
There is a single specimen of this curious species from Playa de Ponce. Although in the
arrangement of the oral papillae it is a typical Ophiacantha, it differs sharply from that genus in the
arrangement of the upper-arm plates, the arm-spines, and the covering of the disk. Verrill has recently
divided the genus into a dozen sections (Trans. Conn. Acad., vol. x, pt. 2, Oct., 1899) and of these
250 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Ophialcxa comes the nearest to the present species; but even from that genus it differs in the covering
of the disk. For the present, however, it may remain in that group, characterized especially by the
upper-arm plates being broadly in contact, the rows of arm-spines not approximating dorsally, mouth
parts as in typical Ophiacantha. This Porto Rican species is nearest to 0. rufescens Koehl., which was
collected in 470 fathoms off the Azores. It differs from that form in the number of arm-spines and in
the covering of the disk and radial shields. The name glabra is suggested by the very smooth disk,
the scales of which are very indistinct.
44.
Ophiopristis hirsuta (Lyman).
This species occurs throughout the West Indies in water from 80 to 1,000 fathoms deep. It is
light chocolate brown above, nearly white beneath, and reaches a diameter of 11 mm. One specimen
from station 6070.
45.
Ophioplinthaca spinissima, nov. sp. (PI. 15, tigs. 9-12.)
Arms 5, stout and very spiny. Disk almost circular, slightly indented in the interbrachial spaces,
7 mm. in diameter. Arms about 30 mm. long; . \ R= 4i d. Arm 1J mm. wide at base. Disk covered
by the radial shields and coarse scales; near the center it is depressed and carries numerous thorny
stumps; these also occur elsewhere on the disk, in the interbrachial spaces below and at the distal
ends of the radial shields. The latter are very large, about twice as long as wide, and are not simply
in contact, but one actually overlaps the other. Upper-arm plates are very widely separated, broadly
triangular in outline, slightly curved distally, and 2 or 3 times as wide as long. Arm-spines 9 (figs. 11
and 12), slender, somewhat glassy, very thorny, the fourth longest and about equal to 2 joints; the
rows approximate closely dorsally. First under-arm plate almost pentagonal, the point inward;
farther out they become hexagonal, the distal side very short, and concave both distally and proxi-
mally. Tentacle scale 1, large; sometimes the first one or more are divided into 2. Oral shields
wide, much broader than long, narrowest without, wide and rounded within, the madrepore plate
much the largest. Adoral plates large, quite broad, four-sided. Tooth papilla 1. Oral papillae 5 to 7,
in a nearly simple row, the most distal ones widest; there may be 1 or 2 narrow papillae placed distally
above these wide ones. Oral tentacle scale conspicuous. Genital slits very prominent, 2 in each
interbrachial space. Color very light brown, variegated on disk with darker.
Two specimens of this species were taken at station 6067, in Mayaguez Harbor, on coral bottom,
in 97 to 120 fathoms. One is badly broken and much smaller than the one described above. They
clearly belong to genus Ophiomitra as defined by Lyman, and in some respects resemble the common
West Indian species O. valida; but the arrangement of the oral papillae seems to indicate their
relationship to Verrill’s genus Ophioplinthaca, though in some other respects they differ markedly
from that genus. They differ from Ophiomitra sens. str. in the simple row of oral papillae and in the
close dorsal approximation of the rows of arm-spines, while they differ from Ophioplinthaca in the
absence of special marginal scales. Were it not for the very close approximation of the rows of arm-
spines, they might be considered young individuals of O. valida; but considering all their characters,
it seems better to regard them as a new species of Ophioplinthaca. The name given was suggested by
the very spiny arms.
46.
Ophioscolex serratus, nov. sp. (PI. 14, figs. 14-17).
Arms 5, flat, slender, and very tapering. Disk almost pentagonal, the sides somewhat concave,
6 mm. in diameter. Arms about 39 mm. long, .\ R=6J r. Arms about- H mm. in width at base.
Disk covered by a peculiar flaky skin, which extends out on the arms; the surface is roughened
by little flakes of a chalky material, between which it appears to be finely granular. Radial shields
small, widely separated, showing through this skin, somewhat triangular, the apex pointing outward.
Upper-arm plates wanting, the side-arm plates showing through the skin and giving a superficial
appearance of upper-arm plates. Arm-spines 3 (figs. 16, 17), flat, very acute, and sharply serrate, the
upper one longest, about equal to a joint and lying fiat against the arm. Under-arm plates squarish,
with truncated corners, slightly concave distally. Tentacle scales wanting. Oral shields twice as wide
as long, the outer side almost straight, the inner widely curved. Adoral plates narrow, about equally
wide at the two ends, meeting within, but not without. Oral papillae 9, of which 1 is at the apex of
the jaw; they are fiat, thin, and abruptly pointed. Teeth large, rounded, prominent. Genital slits
prominent, 2 in each interbrachial space. Color of disk (speckled with the whitish flakes above)
greenish-yellow; upper side of arms bright yellow; beneath very pale, almost white.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 251
There is a single specimen of this new species, collected at station 6050, at the entrance to San
Juan Harbor, in 91 fathoms. In the number of oral papilla? and the absence of tentacle scales it
approaches 0. glacialis Muller & Troschel, but it differs from that form in the shape of the oral papilla?,
and from all previously known members of the genus in the serrate arm-spines and the large rounded
teeth. The name serratus has been selected on account of the arm-spines.
47.
Ophiomyxa flaccida Lutken.
This large, handsome, and very active species is known from Bermuda to Brazil. It is found
under and among rocks and coral in shallow water. The color varies greatly, from uniform tawny or
reddish yellow to green marked with white. A single large specimen in the Fish Hawk collection is
from Ensenada Honda (Culebra), and Mr. Gray has a large specimen in his collection from San Juan.
48.
Astroporpa annulata Oerstedt & Lutken.
This very handsome and curious ophiuran is known from many West Indian stations, where it
occurs at depths of from 20 to 168 fathoms, and it has also been taken off Cape Hatteras and Chesapeake
Bay. The arms measure upward of 100 mm. in length. There is a single specimen in the Porto Rican
collection from station 6063.
49.
Astroschema oligactes Lutken.
Known from various stations in the West Indies at depths of 69 to 288 fathoms, among corals. The
arms are from 100 to 150 mm. in length. There is a single specimen before me from station 6067.
While there are more than 100 other species of brittle-stars known from the
West Indies, most of them are deep-water forms and very few are likely to be met
with in shallow water. There are, however, a few species not given in the above list
which will probably be found along shore in Porto Rico, as they have been in other
islands of the West Indies. One is a species of Ophiura (iguttata Lyman), allied to
brevicauda and found in similar situations. In it the upper-arm plates are broken
into numerous pieces; the disk is about 15 mm. in diameter; above dark brown,
beneath bright yellow. Another species found in similar situations is Ophiolepis
paucispina Muller & Troschel, allied to O. elegans
,
but easily distinguished by having
only 2 arm-spines. Other species of Ophiactis may occur, but their identification is
a matter of great difficulty and can only be accomplished with the aid of figures or
elaborate descriptions. Amphipholis qracillinma (Stimpson) may occur and is easily
distinguished from other members of the genus by having 1 to 5 arm-spines.
Over 10 years ago Ophioblenna cmtillensis was described by Lutken from 2
specimens labeled simply “West Indies” and presumably taken in shallow water.
The species has not been met with since, and its rediscovery would be of great
interest. It is characterized by the disk being covered with a naked skin, numerous
close-set, spine-like oral papilla;, and 6 to 7 fiat, pointed, glassy, slightly thorny
arm-spines.
It is not a little strange that the Fish Ilawk did not collect a single specimen of
the ophiurans known as “basket-fish,” as several species belonging to the genera
Astrophyton and Gorgonocephalus are known from the shallow water of the West
Indies, though seldom near low-water mark. They are characterized by the arms
being dichotomously branched into numerous branchlets, capable of being vertically
coiled. When taken from the water, the arms bend and curl inward toward the
mouth and become more or less interwoven, thus giving rise to the curious shape,
from which the name “basket-fish” has arisen. They reach a large size, the disk
50 mm. or more across, and the whole “basket” being often over a foot in diameter.
The color is usually yellowish or reddish brown.
252 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
ECH INOIDEA.
SEA-URCHINS, SEA-EGGS, SAND-DOLLARS, SEA-MOONS, ETC.
The collections made by the Fish Hawk contain over 300 specimens of echinoids,
but about two -thirds of these represent two species, and half of the remainder are
supplied by two other common forms. There are 13 species altogether, and all of
them are well known from the West Indies. Nine of the 13 are distinctly littoral
forms, but 3 of the others occur only at depths of over 60 fathoms. The remaining
species, Brissopsis lyrifera
,
is given by Agassiz (Revision of the Echini, p. 369) as
occurring at depths of from 55 to 115 fathoms, so that it is worthy of special note
that the Fish Hawk collected three adult specimens in Mayaguez Harbor in only 7
fathoms of water.
The following artificial key will enable anyone to distinguish these species from
each other, but is liable to prove untrustworthy for young or very small specimens
and worse than useless where other species are concerned.
A. Test hard, hemispherical, elliptical, or more or less globular, the height equaling or exceeding
one-half the diameter. Mouth at center of lower surface. (Sea-urchins proper.)
I. Test approximately as wide as long.
a. Spines stout and more or less club-shaped, longer than one-half the diameter of test.
1. Spines not more than equaling diameter of test Cidaris tribuloidcs. (1)
2. Spines usuallymuch exceeding diameter of test, often nearly or quite twice as much. Dorocidarlspap illata. (2)
b. Spines very long and slender (2 or 3 times the diameter of test) with needle-like points...Diadem,a setosum. (4)
c. Spines short, rather slender and pointed, not nearly equaling diameter of test.
1. Spines all white or whitish; test brownish or purplish Hipponoe esculenta. (8)
2. Some of the spines green or greenish, and often with more or less red or violet; test
usually with a decidedly greenish tinge Taxnpneusi.es variegatus. (7)
II. Test not as wide as long; usually the difference in the two diameters is very marked.
a. Apex of test, around anus, covered with numerous small spines Er.hinometra subangularis. (5)
b. Test about anus almost wholly free from spines EcMnometra viridis. (G)
B. Test soft and leathery; more or less globular in life; very flat in dead specimens. Deep-water forms.
(Flexible sea-urchins.)
I. Color purple above; light yellowish about the mouth Asthengsrma hyslrix. (3)
(!. Test hard, much flattened, circular or elliptical, the height not one-half of diameter; mouth at center
of lower surface; spines very short and numerous. (Sand-dollars, key-hole urchins,
sea-moons, etc.)
I. Oral surface very concave; test accordingly highly arched Echinanthus msciwns. (9)
II. Oral surface flat; test not arched, very thin.
a. Test with six slits (lunules) through it MclKta sexforis. (10)
b. Test with only five lunules Melltta testudinata.. (11)
D. Test hard, oval or elliptical; mouth near anterior end on the flattened oral surface; spines
comparatively short and numerous with or without scattered, long ones. (Spatangoids.)
I. Size large (over 100 mm.); color deep reddish-purple Palseopneustes hystrix. (13)
II. Size small (GO mm. or less); color light brown Brissopsis.lyri.fera. (12)
1. Cidaris trilvuloides (Lamarck).
This urchin is marbled light brown and white, often with some red, especially on the spines.
The large spines are comparatively few in number. The test of full-grown specimens is about 60 mm.
in diameter. This species occurs abundantly in shallow water from South Carolina to Brazil, especially
about reefs. A large number of specimens were collected at Arroyo and Mayaguez, and at stations
6075, 6087, and 6096. The largest was 58 mm. in diameter, with spines 45 mm. long.
2. Dorocidaris papillata (Leske).
This species resembles the preceding in size and color, but is usually lighter and the spines are
often almost white; they are also more slender and tapering than in Cidaris. It occurs only in water
of considerable depth, and is found on both sides of the North Atlantic, from Norway to the Mediter-
ranean, and throughout the West Indies. Two specimens, one from station 6067, 23 mm. in diameter,
with spines 53 mm. long, and one from station 6070, 45 mm. in diameter, with spines 83 mm. long.
THE EOHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 253
3.
Asthenosoma hystrix (W. Thomson).
As this urchin occurs only in deep water, it is not likely to be met with by the ordinary collector.
It reaches a large size (140 mm. in diameter), hut the test is always soft and flexible. The spines are
short but very sharp, and scattered rather sparsely over the test. The feet are in three vertical rows
in each poriferous zone in the adult.
There are two large specimens of this very curious flexible urchin, both' as flat as can be. They
measure 135 and 140 mm. in diameter, but are only 7 mm. thick. The abactinal surface is purple
and the actinal very pale yellow. These specimens were collected at station 6070, and from the
same place there are two very small flexible urchins, 10 mm. in diameter, which I refer with some
hesitation to this species. Their coloration is precisely like that of the large ones, but the feet are in
only a single row in each poriferous zone instead of in three rows, as in the adult.
4.
Diadema setosum (Tray.
One of the most characteristic urchins of the Tropics; of world-wide distribution from Cuba east-
ward to the Fiji Islands. Almost black, but the spines are often banded with white in the young.
The adults are sometimes 100 min. in diameter, with spines 300 or 400 mm. long. Very common
about coral reefs.
The Fish Hawk collection contains twenty specimens of this species, varying from 17 to 75 mm.
in diameter, and collected at Ponce, Mayaguez, and Arroyo. The smallest (those less than 40 mm.
in diameter) usually have the spines banded light and dark, whitish or yellowish, alternating with
purplish or brownish. One large specimen has all the spines on the actinal surface white. A large
specimen from Ponce differs markedly from all the others in that a number of the spines, especially
on the actinal surface, have prominent swollen “ rings,” 6 to 10 mm. wide and 2 to 3 mm. in diameter,
about 25 mm. from the base. As all the spines are broken, I am not sure whether this swelling is
always at the tip of the spine or not, but it appears as though it was. The spines are horizontally
ringed, but these swellings are longitudinally ridged.
5.
Echinometra subangularis (Leske).
This species is often called the “rock-boring” urchin, because of its habit of living in cavities in the
reefs and ledges in shallow water. In size it is rather small, not often 50 mm. long, the spines about
20 mm. It varies greatly in form and proportions, but especially in color. All stages from very pale
reddish brown to nearly black are common, while the spines are often green with more or less violet.
It is found from Bermuda to Rio Janeiro. The collection contains 105 examples, exhibiting a most
extraordinary range in color and shape. Indeed, the extremes are so different one might easily believe
there are at least two distinct species in the series. The more common form was collected at Ponce,
Arroyo, Boqueron Bay, Fajardo, San Juan, and Aguadilla. The largest measures 42 mm. long by 38
wide by 22 high. The spines are slender, 20 mm. long, and less than 2 mm. in diameter. The color
varies from bright light green with violet-tipped spines to very light reddish brown and thence through
varying shades of red-brown to almost black. The other form was collected at Ensenada Honda and
on the light-house reef at Playa de Ponce. The difference in size is not notable, 1 >ut the test is somewhat
more flattened. The spines, however, are very different. They measure from 15 to 20 mm. in length
and from 2 to 3J mm. in diameter. They are much stouter, therefore, and are also somewhat flattened
and abruptly pointed. Their color varies from pale, dull pink, through reddish brown to dark green,
the spines having violet tips; in some more than half the spine is violet.
6.
Echinometra viridis A. Agassiz.
This species closely resembles the preceding in size, shape, color, and habits, and seems to be
.distinguished only by the bare apical system. It is recorded from Florida, Cuba, and Haiti. Two
specimens from the reefs at Playa de Ponce seem to be referable to this species. They are of about
average size and color. The test is brownish; spines light green, almost yellow at base, violet tipped.
There are no spines within the anal area, and only about 12 to 15 in the whole abactinal system.
7.
Toxopneustes variegatus (Lamarck).
The common sea-urchin of the tropical western Atlantic, abundant from Bermuda and North
Carolina to Rio Janeiro. It varies greatly in color from rich violet (Bermuda) to bright green and
254 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
white (Jamaica). like the following species, it is usually found on sandy bottom and often covers
itself with bits of seaweed and other debris. The collection contains 28 specimens, the smallest of
which is only 4 nun. in diameter. They were collected at Ponce, Arroyo, Boqueron Bay, San Juan,
Catano, and Hucares. The color varies considerably, but is usually green and white. The spines are
often tipped with reddish, and the specimen from Hucares has the spines rose pink.
8. Hipponoe esculenta ( Leske)
.
A very large urchin, sometimes 150 mm. in diameter. Adults are easily recognized by their
white color and great size, but the young are not readily distinguished from those of the preceding
species. Occurs from Bermuda to Surinam. The eggs are sometimes used for food. From Porto
Rico there are fifteen of these large urchins, besides several fragments. Several of them measure 140
mm. in diameter and 95 mm. high, while the smallest is only 19 mm. in diameter. They were collected
at Ponce, Arroyo, Aguadilla, and Guanica Bay.
9. Echinanthus rosaceus (Linnaeus).
In life this species is reddish, yellowish, or greenish brown in color. It reaches a length of 140
mm., and the height is from one-third to nearly one-half the length. It occurs in the sand, often under
stones and in very shallow water, and is found from South Carolina to Guadeloupe. Only one
example of this species in the collection, a fair-sized specimen from Fajardo.
10. Mellita sexforis (Lamarck).
This very flat and thin “keyhole urchin ” is usually light olive-green (rarely brown) when alive.
It reaches a diameter of 70 or 80 mm., and is found on sandy bottoms in shallow water, from South
Carolina and Bermuda southward throughout the West Indies. One large specimen, 74 by 72 mm.,
from Arroyo, and four smaller ones from station 6085. The color of all these is pale olive-green.
11. Mellita testudinata Klein.
This “keyhole urchin” is slightly larger and thicker than the preceding, but of the same color
and habits. It has a wider range, having been found from Nantucket to Brazil. The Fish Hawk
collection contains 10 specimens, varying in size from one 3 mm. in diameter to one 80 mm. broad by
70 mm. long. The color varies from light to dark green. The specimens less than 12 mm. in diameter
show very nicely the formation of the lunules. In the smallest specimen no lunules are visible from
above, but on the oral surface, in the posterior interambulacrum, there is a little depression which
marks the position of the first lunule. The specimen 12 mm. in diameter has this lunule fully
formed, while the other four lunules appear simply as notches in the edge of the test. Found at
Ponce, Arroyo, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, and station 6053.
12. Brissopsis lyrifera Agassiz.
This spatangoid is usually found only in deepwater, rarely in less than 10 fathoms. It can not be
confused with the following. It is found not only throughout the West Indies, but in the eastern
Atlantic also, from Norway to the Mediterranean. There are 3 specimens of this form from station
6059, the largest of which measures 40 by 33 mm. The color is light yellowish brown. The fascicle
connecting the subanal with the peripetalous fasciole is not complete and is only distinct close to the
subanal. These specimens thus resemble European examples of the species more closely than they
do those from Florida.
13.
Palseopneustes hystrix A. Agassiz.
This rare form, occurring only in deep water, is not likely to be met with. I ts size (125 by 90 mm.
)
and color are sufficient to distinguish it from the preceding species, but an additional character is to be
found in the broad, spatulate ends of the long, spines. It is known only from the Caribbean Sea.
Of this remarkable spatangoid the collection contains one whole specimen, half of a second, and
fragments of others, all from station 6070. The specimens measure about 125 mm. long by 90 broad
by 55 high; color dark purplish red; spines somew'hat lighter.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 255
Besides the foregoing thirteen species, several other common West Indian eehi-
noids may be expected to occur along the shores of Porto Rico. These are Clypeaster
svbdepressus (Gray), Encope emarginata (Gmelin), Encope michelini Agassiz, Echi-
non&us semilunaris (Gmelin), Brissus unicolor Klein, Meoma ventricosa (Lamarck),
Metalia pectoralis (Lamarck), and Moira at/ropos (Lamarck). The first four will fall
under the heading C in the key on page 252, the last four under the heading D. Clype-
aster resembles Echvncmthus
,
but may be easily distinguished by its larger, much
flatter test. It occurs from South Carolina to Brazil and eastward across the Atlantic.
The two Encopes resemble Mellita
,
but are larger (up to 140 mm. in diameter), and
the lunules are different. Those in the radii differ from the one in the posterior
interradius and are inclined to be elliptical or even oval. The two species of Encope
may be distinguished from each other by the fact that in emarginata the posterior
lunule is longer than any of the others, while in michelini it is generally smaller
than the others. In the latter species, moreover, the anterior lunules often disappear
with the growth of the animal, so that the test has only one or three lunules left.
Encope emarginata occurs from South Carolina to Brazil, while michelini is found
throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
Echino-neus is quite different from any of the others. Although properly a
spatangoid, the mouth is central, so that in the key on p. 252 it would come under
C rather than D. The test is a somewhat flattened ellipse, from 15 to 40 mm. long,
covered with short, light-brown spines, and with the bright-red feet (in living animal)
arranged in five double rows, radiating from the center of the aboral side. It lives
in the sand in shallow water, often under stones, and occurs throughout the West
Indies. It has been recorded in the past from Porto Rico.
Brissus unicolor resembles Brissopsis lyrifera
,
but may be distinguished from
that species by the position of the center of the ambulacral system. In Brissopsis
this point is near the center of the test; in Brissus it is far forward. Moreover,
Brissopsis is a deep-water form occurring only occasionally in a few fathoms, while
Brissus is found in very shallow water, in the sand, often under stones, in company
with Echinoneus. Brissus has a wide distribution, being found all through the West
Indies and eastward across the Atlantic into the Mediterranean.
Meoma and Metalia are both very large spatangoids (up to 200 mm. or more in
length) and occur in comparatively shallow water, 1 or 2 fathoms. Metalia is much
more flattened; the ambulacra are very slightly sunken, and the spines, especially on
the upper side, are very coarse. Metalia is brown; Meoma varies from light-
yellowish to deep-reddish brown. Both occur throughout the. West Indies.
Moira atropos is easily distinguished from all the preceding by the very deeply
sunken ambulacra, which give the test almost a deformed appearance. It reaches a
length of 50 mm., and the color is yellowish brown. It occurs southward from
South Carolina into the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico.
Owing to the firm structure of the test, all echinoids (except the flexible sea-
urchins) can stand the wearing of water for some time after the death of the animal.
In such cases the spines drop off and the organic matter is washed out, leaving the
tests as delicate white or (lull-colored shells, more or less granular, according to the
size of the spines with which they were covered. These shells are sometimes called
“ sea eggs.” Such tests are often of value to the zoologist, and should be preserved.
Usually they are sufficient for the determination of the species to which they belonged.
256 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
HOLOTHURIOIDEA.
HOLOTHU RIANS, SEA-CUCUMBERS, SEA-SQUIRTS, ETC.
The holothurians of the West Indies are not nearly so well known as the sea-
urchins, so that every new collection is likely to contain undescribed species, or at
least to extend the range of those previously known. About 35 species have been
described from the West Indian region, or are known to occur there, and of these less
than half a dozen are exclusively deep-water forms. It appears, therefore, that the
great majority of the holothurians of this region are littoral forms, and many of them
are apparently quite limited in their range. But as yet we know too little of their
natural history, or of what constitute good specific characters in the group, to draw
any important conclusions. Species have been made on form, color, size, number of
tentacles, and other inconstant characters to such an extent that the whole subject
of West Indian holothurians needs a thorough overhauling, especially since they
constitute one of the most characteristic groups of the shallow-water fauna.
The Fish TIawk collection contains 85 specimens of sea-cucumbers, representing
10 species, all but one of which are littoral forms. Curiously enough, all these littoral
forms belong to the single family Aspidocliiroim
,
so that probably only a small part
of the holothurian fauna of Porto Rico appears in the collection.
The following artificial key will help to distinguish adult specimens of the above
given species, and also includes one other species collected by Mr. Gray. It is hard
to give distinguishing characters among holothurians, except by means of the micro-
scopic calcareous particles in the skin. As far as possible the characters used below
can be easily seen without the aid of a microscope; but it must be remembered that
the number and arrangement of the tentacles, pedicels, and papilke are often very
different in the young from what they are in the adult. They are usually fewer in
number and show a more orderly and definite arrangement.
A. Tentacles long, slender, unbranehed. Body-wall firm and spiny. Color white. Deep-sea form.
Ecldnotnicuinis asperrima, (1)
B. Tentacles (normally 20) comparatively short, with numerous branches, crowded into a fiat disk at
the end. Body-covering soft. Shallow-water forms.
I. Size large, up to a foot or more in length. Found on sandy or muddy bottom.
a. Brown or black above; yellowish, reddish, or almost white below, and more or less on sides.
Body-wall tough and leathery. Pedicels numerous on ventral side, not arranged in
rows Holothuria mexicana. (8)
b. Color extremely variable; the extremes are uniform blackish-brown, without markings, and
uniform light buff with a few small spots of dark brown. Between these two extremes
all possible combinations of light and dark occur, but the commonest form is buff, con-
siderably blotched with large patches of dark brown. Body-wall, though thick, soft and
slimy. Pedicels numerous, arranged distinctly in three broad longitudinal rows on
ventral surface. Stichopux iiiobii. (2)
II. Sizesmall, rarely 8 inches long. Usually found amongrocks, often buried in sandunder loose slabs.
a. Body covered with more or less wart-like conical papillae. Pedicels few, irregularly scattered,
or none Holothuria impatiens. (7)
b. Pedicels arranged in 3 longitudinal series on ventral surface. Cuvier’s organs very notice-
able, pure white in living animal Holothuria captiva. (3)
c. Pedicels thickly crowded ventrally, less numerous dorsally; few papill®, if any Holothuria glaberrima. (5)
d. Body very thickly covered with pedicels ventrally and with papillse and pedicels dorsally.
Holothuria densipedes. (4)
e. Body elongated, with scattered and rather few papillre on dorsal surface, and irregularly
scattered pedicels on ventral.
1. Blackish and whitish or light gray, mottled with darker; sometimes more or less tinged
with yellow Holothuria grisea. (6)
2. Grayish, but more or less decidedly yellow, with fine purple markings and blotches of the
same color Holotlnmamthbuni. (9)
3. Brownish or purplish, more or less indistinctly marked with darker blotches. . Holothuria surinammsix. (10)
C- Tentacles 15, pinnate. Body long and slender, without pedicels . .Synapta lappa. (11)
THE ECHINODEEMS OF PORTO RICO. 257
1. Eehinocucumis asperrima The61. (PL 16, figs. 1-7.)
This extraordinary holothurian is 1 or 2 inches long, including the long neck and slender, tapering
tail. It has been recorded from only the Caribbean Sea, and there only in deep water.
There is one specimen of this species dredged at station 6066, in 170 fathoms of water. It is just
24 mm. long, and the delicacy and glassiness of its appearance make it an object of unusual interest.
The species was first described by Theel, in 1886, from specimens collected in the vicinity of Jamaica
and Cuba, at depths of 150 fathoms or over. As he published no figures of the species, it seems worth
while to give with this report some illustrations of such a noteworthy form. The tentacles (fig. 4)
are apparently only eight in number, and differ from the tentacles of all other pedate holothurians in
being perfectly simple, without branches of any kind. The calcareous ring (fig. 2) is very small; no
stone canal or Polian vessel found. Genital filaments few, but thick. Respiratory trees very delicate.
No Cuvier’s organs. Respiratory trees and intestine with numerous brownish spherical bodies in
their walls, possibly waste matter. Intestine very long and much coiled. Pedicels very scarce, almost
wanting, except near head and tail. Body-wall (fig. 3) very hard and firm, as though mailed, pure
white. It is composed of more or less regular polygonal plates, each of which bears a single, long,
stout and sharp spine. Calcareous bodies (figs. 6 and 7) consisting of irregular plates with numerous
holes, very abundant, especially in and near the tentacles.
2. Stichopus moebii Semper.
A common species and very interesting on account of the great variety in the color, shape,
appearance, and number of tentacles. It reaches a length of 300 mm. or so. The body-wall contains
numerous tables and C-shaped bodies; the former with well-developed disk and numerous teeth at
top. Known from Bermuda and the West Indies. There are 8 specimens of Stichopus in the Fish Hawk
collection, varying in size from 90 to 220 mm. Though differing somewhat in color, they all show the
light background with large dark spots and blotches. The number of tentacles varies from 16 to 20,
there being 1 with 16, 1 with 17, 2 with 18, 1 with 19, and 3 with 20. It is worthy of note that the
two largest specimens have 20 tentacles and the two smallest have 18 and 16, respectively. This
species was collected at Boqueron Bay, San Juan, and Mayaguez, and these specimens agree in all
essentials with those from Jamaica and Bermuda.
3. Holothuria captiva Ludwig.
This little holothurian rarely reaches a length of 100 mm. It is rich brown in color, somewhat
paler below. On the back are rather numerous papillae. The body-wall contains numerous tables,
with many teeth at the apex, and buttons with 3 pairs of holes. The species is known only from Ber-
muda and the West Indies. There are only two specimens from Porto Rico, and both are very small,
12 and 15 mm. in length. They were collected at Hucares. The skin is very delicate, almost without
pigment, but the deposits are numerous, full size, and perfectly formed. Color in alcohol dirty-brown.
Cuvier’s organs very noticeable; in one specimen their bulk is fully one-tenth of the whole animal.
The arrangement of pedicels, papillae, and tentacles is of interest.
Specimens. Pedicels. Papillae. Tentacles.
Smaller specimen 15 in a row; a single row on
each side, a double row in
middle of ventral surface.
Six longitudinal rows with 10
6 papillae in a row.
Larger specimen 18 in a row; rows as above Six rows with 10 in a row .
.
14
4. Holothuria densipedes, nov. sp. (PI. 17, fig. 1.)
There is a single specimen, from the light-house reef at Playa de Ponce, of a holothurian unlike
any yet described. On account of the very numerous and crowded pedicels, I have given to it the
name densipedes. It is 88 mm. long and about 20 mm. in diameter. The color is brown, with a few
scattered dull purple or blackish blotches. The papillae have a reddish tinge, while the pedicels are
much lighter, with a touch of yellow. The pedicels are crowded on the ventral surface, and are
2d—F, C. B. 1900—17
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.258
numerous, though somewhat smaller, dorsally. The papillae are numerous and confined to the dorsal
surface. There is no sign of arrangement in rows of either the qiedicels or papillae. Tentacles very
small and pale, apparen tly 20. Polian vessel 1 . Stone canal 1. Water-ring with many small bead-like
bodies on it. Cuvier’s organs present; small, greenish. Genital glands with numerous infrequently
branched filaments. The calcareous deposits consist of tables and smooth buttons, with numerous
supporting rods in pedicels, papillae, and tentacles. The buttons usually have three pairs of holes,
but not infrequently there are only 3 or 4 holes. The tables have the disk with 4 large central
holes or a single deeply 7-lobed hole, surrounded by a circle of smaller holes, 4 larger alternating with
4 smaller, to complete the circle. The spire is comparatively low, with only 1 crossbeam and few (not
more loan 10 or 12) teeth. The tables of the pedicels are usually much reduced.
The supporting rods of the tentacles are simple, slightly rough or knobbed at ends. Those from
the pedicels are usually broader and pierced by holes more or less symmetrically arranged. There are
often 7 or 8 pairs of these holes. The calcareous ring is composed of 5 large radial pieces and 5 small,
narrow, pointed interradial plates. The calcareous ring and the various calcareous deposits are
exactly like those of H. rathbuni Lampert, from which species this form is otherwise radically different.
(See pi. 17.) It differs from its nearest allies in the crowded papillae on the dorsal surface, as well as
in the detailed structure of the tables, while it differs markedly from If. glaberrima in the large size of
the pedicels and papillae, and in their crowded arrangement. It is known as yet only from Porto
Rico.
5.
Holothuria glaberrima Selenka.
Especially common in cavities in coral rocks on the reefs and along shore. It is rather short and
stout, seldom more than 100 mm. long. The color varies greatly from pale yellowish brown to almost
black, but is generally uniform over the body. The body-wall contains only scattered branching rods.
It is found throughout the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Six specimens from Hucares vary in
length from 65 to 110 mm. In five the color is blackish brown, the tentacles black; the sixth is light
yellowish brown, with light tentacles.
6.
Holothuria grisea Selenka.
This species reaches a length of 150 to 200 mm. The body-wall contains tables and small forked
rods, the latter gathered in little circles or spots, often visible to the naked eye. It has been recorded
from the West Indies, Surinam, and Brazil. Two specimens from Arroyo, 50 and 110 mm. long, and
one from Hucares 70 mm.
7. Holothuria impatiens Forskal.
This is one of the most widely distributed of holothurians, being known from the warmer seas
of all parts of the world. It reaches a length of 150 to 200 mm., and is grayish purple in color, some-
times blotched with darker. Tentacles often very light colored. The body-wall contains tables
and -buttons with 3 pairs of holes. From Culebra t.hei'e is one typical specimen 85 mm. long, and from
Ponce there are two specimens (110 to 125 mm.) which are dark gray in color with no trace of purple.
8. Holothuria mexicana Ludwig.
This is one of the largest West Indian holothurians, often reaching a length of 450 mm. or more.
T1 le color varies greatly; some specimens, usually small ones, are light brown above and pink or
flesh-color beneath, the pedicels brown; others are almost jet-black with scarcely any light below.
Between these two extremes all sorts of intergradations occur. The thick, leathery body-wall, which
contains simple tables and numerous perforated plates of two kinds, helps greatly to distinguish this
species. Described first from the Gulf of Mexico, and known only from the West Indian region.
Of this very common species, there are some 20 specimens in the collection, from 110 to 300 mm.
in length. There is great diversity in the number of tentacles and Polian vessels. Four individuals
have 18 tentacles; six have 19; nine have 20; one has 21. Two individuals have 1 Polian vessel each;
two have 2; five have 3; two have 4; three have 7; one has 8; one has 9. These specimens were
collected at Culebra, Fajardo, Boqueron Bay, Guanica, Puerto Real, Mayaguez, and San Juan.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 259
9.
Holothuria rathbuni Lampert. (PI. 17, tigs. 2 to 10.)
This species reaches a length of 200 mm. The body-wall contains tables and buttons with three
pairs of holes. Occurs from Bermuda to Brazil.
There is a small holothurian in the collection from Culebra, which I have finally decided to con-
sider a young specimen of this species. II. rathbuni was first described by Mr. Richard Rathbun from
specimens collected at Rio Janeiro, but he gave no name to it. In 1885 Lampert, without any further
information, gave the species the name rathbuni. Among holothurians which I collected in Jamaica
in 1896 and 1897, there are numerous specimens which may be referred without doubt to Mr. Rathbun’s
species. In 1899 the New York University party collected similar specimens on the south shore of the
Bermuda Islands. These specimens all agree in coloration, size, and calcareous parts, as well as in
habits, with the specimens from Brazil, as described by Mr. Rathbun. The Porto Rican specimen
before me is only 50 mm. long, and is rather spindle-shaped, tapering towards both ends. The pedicels
are confined to the ambulacra, where they form five double rows, which are very distinct near the two
ends, but rather indistinct at the middle. Tentacles 20 in number, small and pale. Color light gray
with a decidedly yellow tinge ventrally, more or less distinctly marked on the interambulacra with
purplish black. Cuvier’s organs are present, dirty green in color. There is no genital gland, which
adds strength to the opinion that this is a young individual. It differs from adults in the arrangement
of the pedicels, which are in them irregularly scattered. As no figures have ever been published of
the calcareous parts of II rathbuni, it seems wise to give them in connection with this individual.
10.
Holothuria surinamensis Ludwig.
This very common species reaches a length of about 150 mm. The body-wall is often very thin.
It contains a few irregular rods and numerous imperfect tables which lack the disk. Occurs from
Bermuda southward to Surinam and into the Gulf of .Mexico. About half of the holothurians collected
by the Fish Hawk consist of this species, of which there are 40 specimens, 30 to 140 mm. in length,
from Ponce, Boqueron Bay, San Juan, Puerto Real, and Guanica. In some the “bars” in the skin
are numerous and very noticeable and the tables are heavy, while in others the “bars” are rather
infrequent and the tables more delicate.
11.
Synapta lappa Muller.
This large synapta reaches a length of 600 mm., or even more. The color varies considerably,
from light gray to dark brown. The body-wall is thin and contains numerous “anchors and plates”
(characteristic of the genus) and great quantities of miliary granules. It is found under rocks on
sandy bottom in shallow water throughout the West Indies. Mr. Gray’s collection contains a single
specimen, found under a rock near San Juan.
Besides the species with the shield-shaped ’’ tentacles, there will doubtless be
found along the shores of Porto Rico representatives of another family of holothu-
rians, the Dendroclurotce. Of this family Oucumaria punctata, Ludwig' and species
of Thyone are almost sure to occur. Of the Synaptidm
,
besides Synapta lappa
Muller, Synapta vivipara (CErstedt) and Chin'data rotifera Pourtales will very
probably be collected. Moreover, another genus of the AspidochiroUe (of which
Holothuria is a typical genus), Mulleria
,
may occur. This latter genus can be easily
recognized by the five prominent calcareous teeth in the anus. It is brown, mottled
with darker and lighter shades, and reaches a length of 300 mm., or thereabouts.
M. agassizii Selenka, with 25 to 30 tentacles, has been collected in Florida, Haiti,
the Tortugas, Bimini, and Jamaica. Otccumaria punctata
,
which reaches a length of
70 or 80 mm., maybe recognized by the 10 much-branched dendriform tentacles,
the bluish-gray color, and the yellowish pedicels, which occur in double rows along
the ambulacra but are also somewhat scattered on the rest of the body. It occurs in
cavities within and underneath broken rocks, from Bermuda to Barbados. Thyone
260 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
is a genus similar to Cucumaria
,
but has the pedicels much more numerous and
crowded irregularly all over the body.
The members of the Synaptidce may be easily distinguished from all other holo-
thurians by the absence of pedicels, papillae, and respiratory “trees.” The tentacles
are pinnate and the body is more or less translucent. Synapta v'wipara is a small
species, 20 to 100 mm. long, reddish or greenish brown in color with more or fewer
white spots. It is found living in seaweeds from Bermuda to Brazil. Chiridota
roUfera is also a small species, rarely 100 mm. long, flesh-colored with little white
spots, found under stones in the sand. The body-wall contains characteristic wheel-
shaped bodies. It has been collected from Bermuda, Florida, Jamaica, and Brazil.
DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES.
Of the 50 stations where the Fish Hawk dredged, trawled, or used the tangle,
86 yielded echinoderms. Their distribution is shown in the following tables and
statements. The first table treats of the west end of the island, the stations being-
given as nearly as possible in their geographical order. The Crinoidea and Holo-
thurioidea are given outside of the tables for typographical convenience.
Only two representatives of Crinoidea were found in this part of the island:
Actinometra meridionalis, at station 6063, depth 75 to 76 fathoms; bottom of rocks, sand and
coral; obtained with 11-foot trawl.
Antedon hageni, at station 6067, depth 97 to 120 fathoms, coral bottom; obtained with dredge.
Specimens of the Holothurioidea were found as follows:
Holothuria mexicana, at Mayaguez, Puerto Real, and Boqueron Bay.
Holothuria surinamensis, at Puerto Real and Boqueron Bay.
Stichopus mobii, at Mayaguez and Boqueron Bay.
.
Echinocucumis asperrima, at station 6066, 97 to 120 fms., coral bottom, a dredge being used.
Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, and Echinoidea collected by the Fish Hawk at the western end of Porto Rico.
Station.
Depth, bottom, and
apparatus. Asteroidea. Ophiuroidea. Echinoidea.
137 fms.; sand, mud, Amphipholis goesii.
Amphipholis subtilis.
Amphiura stimpsoni.
Ophiactis krebsii.
loricata?.
Ophiothrix angulata.
oersted ii.
Amphipholis goesii.
Amphipholis goesii.
Amphipholis goesii.
gularis.
Hipponoe esculenta.
and shells; dredge.
Astropecten antillensis.
Luidia senegalensis.
Pentaceros reticulatus.
( lidaris tribuloides.
Diadema setosum.
Hipponoe esculenta.
Mellita testudinata.
Ls fms.; sticky mud;
dredge.
fms.; sticky mud;
7-foot trawl
.
7 fms.; sticky mud;
7-foot trawl.
Station 6058
Station 6059
Astropecten duplicate.
Echinaster crassispina. Brissopsis lyrifera.
Amphipholis goesii.
Amphipholis goesii.
Amphipholis goesii.
Ophioglypha ljungmani.
Amphipholis goesii.
subtilis.
Astroporpa annulata.
Ophiomusium eburneum
elegans.
dredge.
sand; 11 ft. trawl.
25 to 30 fms.; sand,
mud, and shells;
dredge.
Station 6063
sand, and coral;
11 ft. trawl.
THE ECHINODERMS OF PORTO RICO. 261
Asteroidea
,
Ophiuroidea, and Echinoidea collected by the Fish Hawk at 'western end of Porto Rico—Cont’d.
Station.
Station 6004
Station 6065
Station 6066
Station 6067
Station 6070.
Puerto Real .
Station 6072.
Station 6075
Boqueron Bay.
Station 6076.
Station 6077.
Depth, bottom, and
apparatus.
22to23fms.; sand and
mud; dredge.
4 to 6 fms.; coral;
dredge.
161 to 172 fms.; sand,
mud; 11 ft. trawl.
97 to 120 fms.; coral;
dredge.
220 to 225 fms.
;
rocks;
9 ft. trawl.
71 fms.; coral, sand,
and shells; tangle.
81 fms.; sand and
coral; tangle.
Asteroidea.
Astropecten antillen-
sis.
Echinaster crassi-
spina.
Luidia senegalensis.
Astropecten d u p 1 i -
catus.
Echinaster er a s s i -
spina.
10 fms.; coral and
sand; tangle.
10j fms.; coral and
sand; tangle.
Ophiuroidea.
Ophioglypha ljungmani
Ophiothrix angulata.
Amphiodia planispina?
Ophiothrix angulata.
oerstedii.
Amphiodia riisei.
Amphiura flcxuosa.
Amphioplus stearnsii
Astroschema oligactes.
Ophioglypha robusta.
Ophiomusium sculptum.
Ophioplinthaca spinis-
sima.
Ophiopsila fulva.
Ophiothrix angulata.
suensonii.
Ophiothyreus goesii.
Ophiozona tessellata.
Ophiacantha bidentata .
.
Ophiomusium ebur-
neum elegans.
Ophiomusium validum.
Ophiopristis hirsuta.
Ophionereis reticulata .
Ophiothrix angulata.
oerstedii.
Ophiura brevicauda.
breyispina.
Ophiothrix angulata.
Ophiothrix angulata
Ophiura brevicauda.
Ophiothrix angulata . .
.
suensonii.
Ophiacantha o p h i a c-
toides.
Ophiocoma pumila.
Ophiocoma pumila.
Echinoidea.
Dorieidaris papillata.
Asthenosoma hystrix.
Dorocidaris papillata.
Palseopneustes hys-
trix.
Mellita testudinata.
Cidaris tribuloides.
Echinometra s u b an -
gularis.
Toxopneustes varie-
gatus.
On the southern side of the island the only echinoderms collected were in
shallow water at the three following places:
Station
.
Asteroidea. Ophiuroidea. .Echinoidea. Holothurioidea.
Guanica .... Ophionereis reticulata.
.
Ophiothrix angulata.
Ophiura appressa.
Hipponoe esculenta .. Holothuria mexicana.
surinamensis.
Holothuria densipedes.
Ponce a Asterina folium
Linckia guildingii.
Ophidiaster guildingii.
Pentaceros reticulatus.
Ophiactis krebsii
Ophialctea glabra.
Ophiocoma echinata.
pumila.
Ophiothrix angulata.
cerstedii.
Ophiura appressa.
cinerea.
brevicauda.
rubicunda.
Ophiozona impressa.
Diadema setosum
Echinometra suban-
gularis.
Echinometra viridis.
Hipponoe esculenta.
Mellita testudinata.
Toxopneustes varie-
gatus.
impatiens.
surinamensis.
Arroyo Astropecten antillensis. Ophiothrix oerstedii
Ophiura brevispina.
Cidaris tribuloides . .
.
Diadema setosum.
Echinometra suban-
gularis.
Hipponoe esculenta.
Mellita sexforis.
testudinata.
Toxopneustes varie-
gatus.
Holothuria grisea.
a Of the 24 species taken at Ponce, 7 were not taken at any other point, and 2 are new to science.
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.21)2
At the eastern end of the island the collecting- was extended to within a few miles
of St. Thomas, and included both Vieques and Culebra islands. This region proved
rich in brittle- stars, 21 species being- taken, of which 6 were not taken elsewhere,
and 2 are apparently new to science.
Of the Cri noidea, Actinometra rubiginosa was taken with the tangle, from coral
bottom, at station 6088, in 23 fathoms, and station 6090, in 16 fathoms.
Of the Holothurioidea, Holotliurict captiva
,
II. glabernrna
,
and II. grisea were
obtained at Hucares; II. nnpatiens
,
II. inexicana, and II. rathbum at Ensenada Honda
(Culebra), and II. mexicana at Fajardo.
Table showing the Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, and Echinoidea obtained by the steamer Fish Hawk at the eastern
end of the island of Porto Rico. „
Station. Depth, bottom, and
apparatus. Asteroidea.
Stations6097.6098r 91 to 121 fms.; coral; Luidia alternata
and 6099. tangle.
tangle.
dredge.
Caballe Blanco.
Station (108-1
.
Station 6085
Station 6086.
Ensenada Hon-
da (Culebra).
Station 6087.
Station 6088.
11 fms.; coral, sand,
and shells; tangle.
14 fms.; coral, sand,
shells
; 7 ft. trawl.
14J fms.; coral and
sand; dredge.
Astropecten duplica-
tes.
Luidia clathrata.
Astropecten duplica-
tes.
14i fms.; coral and
sand; tangle.
23 fms.; coral; tangle.
Station6090 16fms.; coral; tangle.
Station 6091 15 fms.; coral; tangle.
Linckia guildingii
.
Station 6093
Station 6095
Station 6096.
Fajardo
15 fms.: coral; tangle.
124 fms.; coral; tangle.
6 fms.; coral; tangle..
Ophiuroidea.
Ophiocoma pumila
Ophiothrix angulata.
Ophiura rubieunda.
Ophionereis reticulata.
Ophiopsila riisei.
Ophiostigma isaeapthum.
Ophiothrix angulata.
suensonii.
Ophiura brevispina.
Ophiactis krebsii.
Ophiocoma pumila.
Ophionereis reticulata.
Ophiopsila fulva.
riisei,
Ophiothrix angulata.
Ophiura brevispina.
Ophiocoma ecliinata.
Ophionereis reticulata.
Ophiothrix cerstedii.
Ophiura. appressa.
brevicauda.
Astropecten duplica-
tus.
Echinaster crassispi-
na.
Ophiolepis elegans.
Ophiura brevispina.
Ophiocoma echinata .
.
pumila.
Ophiomyxa flaccida.
Ophionereis reticulata.
Ophiothrix angulata.
cerstedii.
Ophiura appressa.
brevicauda.
brevispina.
cinerea.
rubieunda.
Ophiothrix angulata .
Ophionereis reticulata.
Ophiura appressa.
Ophionereis dubia.
Astropecten duplica-
tes.
Ophiura appressa.
Ophiocoma pumila.
Ophiactis longibrachia.
Ophiocoma echinata.
Ophionereis olivaeea.
Ophiothrix angulata.
cerstedii
.
Ophiura brevispina.
Ophiocoma echinata . .
.
Echinoidea.
Toxopneustes varie-
gates.
Toxopneustes varie-
gatus.
Mellita sexforis.
Ec-hinometra suban-
gularis.
Cidaris tribuloides.
Echinometra. suban-
gularis.
Echinanthus rosa-
ceus.
THE ECHINODEKMS OF • PORTO RICO. 263
On the north shore the collecting was all done in the neighborhood of San Juan,
and brought to light a number of species not taken elsewhere. The Asteroidea
obtained were Echmaster crassispina
,
Linckia guild!ng!!, Luldid senegalensis and
nlathrata
,
Pentaceros reticuJatus
,
Zoroaster fulgens. The following table shows the
distribution of Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, and Holothurioidea in this region:
Station. Depth, bottom and
apparatus. Ophiuroidea. Echinoidea. Holothuroidea.
San Juan
Collected by Mr.
Amphiodia pulchella.
Ophiothrix angulata.
Ophiocoma echinata.
Echinometra suban-
gularis.
Toxopneustes varie-
gatus.
Cidaris tribuloides.
Holothuria mexi-
cana.
Holothuria surinam-
ensis.
Stiehopus mobii.
Holothuria glaber-
Gray from vi-
cinity of San Ophiocoma pumila. Diadema setosum.
rima.
Holothuria grisea.
Juan. Ophiocoma riisei. Hipponoe esculenta. Holothuria impa-
Station 6050 91 fms.; sand and
Ophiomyxa flaccida.
Ophiura appressa.
Ophiura brevicauda.
Ophiura cinerea.
Amphiura bihamula.
.
tiens.
Synapta lappa.
Station 6051
Station 6053
mud; 7 ft. trawl.
45 fms.; sand and
mud; tangle.
4to74fms.; fine sand;
Ophioglypha robusta.
Ophioscolex serratus.
Ophiozona nivea compta.
Ophioglypha ljungmani.
Amphipholis limbata. Mellita testudinata.
Station 6054
dredge.
44 to 54 fms.; sand
and mud; dredge
and tangle.
Amphipholis goesii.
SUMMARY.
An examination of the collections made at the various stations as given above
shows that Mayaguez and its vicinity proved to be the best locality for the collecting
of echinoderms, although the vicinity of Culebra Island and that of San Juan Harbor,
each offers a very good field. At Mayaguez, within a radius of 9 miles, 13 species
were collected (2 crinoids, 5 asteroids, 25 ophiuroids, 8 echinoids, and 3 holothurians),
of which 2d were not taken elsewhere and 1 is new to science. In the vicinity of
Culebra about JO species were taken (1 crinoid, 5 asteroids, 21 ophiuroids, 5 echi-
noids, and 8 holothurians), of which 11 were not taken elsewhere and 2 are new. At
San Juan, within a radius of 1J miles, 35 species have been collected (6 asteroids, lb
ophiuroids, 6 echinoids, and 7 holothurians), of which 8 were not taken elsewhere
and 2 are new. The littoral collecting at San Juan proved the best, perhaps because
more thoroughly done, but Ponce is a close second, and nearly a third of the species
taken at the latter place were not found elsewhere. San Juan proved to be the best
place for starfishes, Ponce or Culebra for littoral brittle-stars, Arroyo or Ponce for
littoral echinoids, and San Juan for holothurians. Of littoral forms, the commonest
starfish is apparently Pentaceros reticulatus
,
the commonest brittle-star Ophiocoma
echmata or Ophiothrix a/ngulata
,
the commonest sea-urchin Toxopneustes variega-
tus or Echinometra subangtdaris
,
and Stichopn* /nob!! is probably the commonest
holothurian.
Olivet College, September 15
,
1900.

Bui 1* U. S. F. C. 1900, Vol. 2.— H. L. Clark. (To face page 264.) Plate 14.
Figs. 1-5. Ophiactis longibrachia.—Fig. 1, Tipper surface, x 1.5. Fig. 2, undersurface, x 1.5. Fig. 3, side view of 3 joints of arm, show-
ing the number and proportions of the arm-spines, x 5. Fig. 4, one of the upper spines, x 20. Fig. 5, one of the lower
spines, x 20.
Figs. 6-9. Ampliiura Mhamula.—Fig. 6, upper surface, : 4. Fig. 7, under surface, > 4. Fig. S, side view of 3 joints of arm, showing the
number and proportions cf the arm-spines, x 10. Fig. 9, one of the lower spines, showing the little hooks at the
end, x 40.
Figs. 10-13. Ophionereis olivacea —Fig. 10, upper surface, x 3. Fig. 11, under surface, -• 3. Fig. 12, side view of 3 joints of arm, show-
ing the number and proportions of the arm-spines, x 4. Fig. 13, one of the middle arm-spines, x 10.
Figs, 14-17. Ophioscolex serratus.—Fig. 14, upper surface, x 3. Fig. 15, under surface, x 3. Fig. 16, side view of 3 joints from near middle
of arm, showing the number and proportions of the arm-spines, ... 5. Fig. 17, one of the upper arm-spines, x 20.

Bull. U. S. F. C. 1900, Vol. 2.—H. L. Clark. (To face page 264 Plate 1 5.
Figs. 1-4. Ophialcsea glabra.—Fig. 1, upper surface, > 2. Fig. 2, under surface, x 2. Fig. 3, side view of 3 joints from near middle of
arm, showing the number of arm-spines, x 2. Fig. 4, one spine from near middle of arm, x 15.
Figs. 5-8. Ophiacantha ophiactoides.—Fig. 5, upper surface, x 10. Fig. 6, under surface, x 10. Fig. 7, side view of 3 joints from near
middle of arm, showing the number of arm-spines, x 10. Fig. 8, one spine from near middle of arm, x 65.
Figs. 9-12. Ophioplinthaca spinissima.—Fig. 9, upper surface, x 3. Fig. 10, under surface, > 3. Fig. 11. side view of 3 joints from near
middle of arm. showing the number and proportions of the arm-spines, x 3. Fig. 12, one spine from near middle of
arm, x 10.

Bull. U. S. F. C. 1900, Vol. 2.—H. L. Claik. (To face page 264.) Plate 1 6.
Fig. 1. Echin<fcucumis asperrima Theel, natural size.
2. Part of the calcareous ring, x 45.
3. Part of the body wall from the outside, x 20.
4. The circle of tentacles (some are broken and some
may be wanting), x 20.
Fig. 5. Part of a tentacle, to show the way in which the cal-
careous rods project, x 90.
l>. A plate from the body wall near the circle of tenta-
cles, X 90.
7. A plate from the base of a tentacle, x 450.

Bull. U, S. F. C. 1900, Vol. 2.—H. L, Clark. (To face page 264.) Plate 17.
Fig. 1.
3.
4.
5.
Holothuria densipedes, n. sp., natural size.
? Holothuria rathbuni Lamp., young, natural size.
Part of the calcareous ring of H. rathbuni, < 5.
Calcareous table from the skin of H. rathbuni, seen
from the side, x 450.
Table seen from above, x 450.
Figs. 3-10 would answer equal!;
Fig. 0. Incomplete table from pedicel, 450.
7. Normal button of It. rathbuni, x 450.
H. Incomplete buttons, 450.
W. Supporting rods from pedicels, x 450.
10. Supporting rods from tentacles, x 450.
y well for Holothuria densipedes.