A reassessrnent of the sea-star orders valvatida and spinulosida

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Affinities of a number of sea star families belonging to the orders Valvatida and Spinulosida have long been considered problematic. Characters traditionally Used in ordinal recognition are discussed and it is concluded that primary emphasis has been placed on features readily subject to convergent evolution. In the past, skeletal morphology has received relatively little taxonomic emphasis, but these data are used here to argue in favour of the transfer of the Ganeriidae, Asterinidae and Poraniidae from the Spinulosida to the Valvatida. Revised characterizations and familial content for the Valvatida and Spinulosida are suggested.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)375-394
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Natural History
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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