Neoferdina akala
Deepest known Neoferdina species, with distinct bald patches on marginal plates.
Neoferdina akala is a sea star belonging to the family Goniasteridae, known only from waters off New Caledonia. Its species name, *akala*, comes from the Hawaiian word for "pink."
This species is most similar to *Neoferdina antigorum*, sharing distinct bare patches on most superomarginal and inferomarginal plates. However, *N. akala* differs by having a complete series of these bare patches on both marginal series—including on interradial plates where they are absent in *N. antigorum*—as well as fewer convex bare plates, a different color, and a much less stellate body shape. It also invites comparison with *Bathyferdina aireyae*, with which it shares numerous quadrate-shaped bald spots on each superomarginal plate, but *N. akala* has convex bald plates on the abactinal surface and lacks the glassine embedded granules found in *Bathyferdina*. The bald plates are a diagnostic feature of the genus *Neoferdina*, and the convex plates separate it from *Neoferdina insolita*, which has only flat abactinal plates. Another relative, *Neoferdina longibrachia*, is more stellate and lacks the proximal bare patches on the marginal plates. *Neoferdina akala* is the third species of the genus recorded from New Caledonia and, at depths of 230–249 meters, is the deepest known.
The body is stout and stellate, with triangular, elongate arms and acute, curved interradial arcs. A granule-infused dermis covers the marginal and actinal surfaces. The abactinal plates are convex and abutted, extending along the arms to the distalmost point, where three to four superomarginal plates are irregularly abutted. The surface has a continuous granule cover except for six to eight plates distally along the arms and 12 to 18 convex plates on the disk, each with a distinct, centrally located bald spot. There are 25 superomarginal plates per interradius and 26 to 28 inferomarginal plates. Both marginal series are covered by a continuous granule layer except for a central bald patch on every plate—quadrate on superomarginals and circular on inferomarginals. The actinal surface is covered by a continuous, granule-infused dermis that obscures plate boundaries. A single furrow spine per adambulacral plate is arranged in a linear series, with no other adambulacral accessories. The disk is pink, with dark pink to purple convex plates distally on the arms.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Neoferdina
- Species
- akala
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The species epithet akala is derived from the Hawaiian word for 'pink'. This species invites immediate comparison with Bathyferdina aireyae, sharing numerous quadrate-shaped bald spots on each superomarginal plate, but N. akala displays bald convex plates on the abactinal surface and lacks the glassine embedded granules present in Bathyferdina. It displays the bald plates that diagnose Neoferdina, and shows several convex plates separating it from Neoferdina insolita, which has only flat abactinal plates. It is most similar to Neoferdina antigorum, sharing distinct bald patches on most superomarginal and inferomarginal plates, but differs in showing a full series of bald patches on both marginal series (especially on interradial plates where they are absent in N. antigorum), having fewer convex bare plates, differing in color, and being much less stellate. Neoferdina longibrachia is also more stellate and lacks the proximal bare patches on the marginal plates. Neoferdina akala is the third species known from New Caledonia and, at a depth of 230–249 m, is the deepest known species in the genus.
Reader's Guide
Neoferdina akala contributes to the understanding of deep-sea starfish diversity within the Goniasteridae family. Its discovery off New Caledonia expands the known depth range for the genus Neoferdina, as it is the deepest recorded species. The species is distinguished from close relatives by a combination of morphological traits: convex abactinal plates, a full series of bald patches on both marginal series (quadrate on superomarginals, circular on inferomarginals), and a less stellate body form compared to Neoferdina antigorum and Neoferdina longibrachia. The absence of glassine embedded granules further separates it from Bathyferdina aireyae. These details, drawn from the original description, provide a basis for taxonomic identification and highlight the species' unique position among its congeners. The pink and dark red coloration, along with the distinct bald patches, are key diagnostic features. As the third Neoferdina species from New Caledonia, it underscores the region's role as a hotspot for starfish diversity.
Did You Know?
- The species epithet akala means 'pink' in Hawaiian.
- It is the deepest known species in the genus Neoferdina, found at 230–249 meters.
- Each adambulacral plate bears a single furrow spine arranged in a linear series.
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