So, the other day somebody asked me what I ACTUALLY do other then write this blog. People seem to know that I dig echinoderms...but many people (aside from the ones who read my papers) don't ever see the results are of what I publish on.I do lots of things: I write, I hustle the grants, I do field work, and I network with the science people and do the research..but one big part of it? I am a TAXONOMIST. and I specialize, specifically on STARFISH aka SEA STARS (Class ASTEROIDEA in the Echinodermata).
What most people never really see the KINDS of NEW ANIMALS I have described when I tell them what I do...so I thought today would be a good chance to show some of them off!
So I thought it would be cool to post pix of some of the animals...new genera and species...I have described and named.
From my 2005 paper reviewing two genera of goniasterid starfish from the tropical Pacific: Glyphodiscus magnificus Mah 2005
and...Glyphodiscus pentagonalis Mah 2005
From my 2008 paper....a new genus and species of pentagonasterine goniasterid from New Caledonia.... Akelbaster caledoniae Mah 2007!
From the same paper, a new genus and species of goniasterid from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan:
Ryukuaster onnae Mah 2007!
From a paper I wrote in 2003: a new genus and species of Oreasteridae from the subreef zone: Astrosarkus idipii Mah 2003 from Palau, and surrounding areas....
The other day, I stopped and counted...the current count is 15 new species and five new genera!(with more to come!!)
2 comments:
I have seen several Reef Guide books that list Glyphodiscus magnificus as "Iconaster longimanus". We really thank you for describing the species and putting it right here.
Keep going on!
Glyphodiscus is closely related to Iconaster but is usually found in pretty deep water. Which Reef Guide books? I have many of those books but I've never seen this Glyphodiscus or any other species in them. lmk..thanks.
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