The stalked crinoids collected during the KARUBAR cruise (Kai and Tanimbar Islands; Indonesia) belong to the genus Saracrinus (Pentacrinidae). Three species in this genus are described, one of which, S. moosai, is new. The samples come from depths between 210 and 430 m. This pentacrinid fauna is abundant (165 specimens) but less diverse than the rich fauna collected elsewhere in Indonesia (Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Timor Sea, Banda Sea, Java Sea). Twelve species of pentacrinid were sampled by previous cruises; Saracrinus angulatus, S. suluensis, S. acutus, S. cingulatus, S. murrayi, S. batheri, S nobilis, S superbus,S. varians, Metacrinus serratus, Diplocrinus sibogae, Hypalocrinus naresianus. Data on morphological features, biometry, arm branching and ossicle articulations are given for each species collected during the KARUBAR cruise. Stalk, am and pinnular joints were observed using scanning electron microscopy with regard to their taxonomic importance. As numerous individuals of each species were collected, it was possible to study the variation of crown and stem characters. It appears that the stems and arms of these species, and especially for S. angulatus, exhibit intraspecific polymorphism. One of the consequences of these studies is a reduction of the number of recognised species. Some of these forms are interpreted as a consequence of ecophenotypic or geographical variations. Thus, for example, S. suluensis, S. acutus, S. cingulatus and S. batheri are synonyms of S. angulatus, while S. superbus and S. varians are synonyms of S. nobilis. |
