Poraniidae

Poraniidae is a family of starfishes in the order Valvatida.

Characteristics

Members of the family Poraniidae have a moderately well-developed row of marginal plates forming a distinct margin along the edge of both disc and arms. The aboral surface is covered with thick, naked skin, free from spines or pedicellariae but with scattered groups of papulae. There are no papulae or pedicellariae on the oral surface and the tube feet are always in two series.

Genera

This family includes the following genera according to the World Register of Marine Species:Bathyporania Mah & Foltz, 2014Chondraster Verrill, 1895Clavaporania Mah & Foltz, 2014Culcitopsis Verrill, 1914Glabraster A.H. Clark, 1916Marginaster Perrier, 1881Porania Gray, 1840Poraniomorpha Danielssen & Koren, 1881Poraniopsis Perrier, 1891Spoladaster Fisher, 1940Tylaster Danielssen & Koren, 1881