The holotype, ambulacral plate GIUS 4−439 Śni./918/1 from the proximal/middle part of the arm; Early Givetian of outcrop III of Śniadka, Holy Cross Mountains; outer, inner, proximal and distal view

Diagnoza

Cupola, forming the podial basin extends beyond the hemicylindrical main plate and reaches its distal end.

Porównanie

From genus Stratasterthe differs in the structure of the inner side of its ambulacral plates, the development of a cupola for the podial basin. A similar cupola structure over the podial basin occurs in Umerophiura sp., but Astutuaster has the muscle attachment situated very low and mainly on the ventral side, a smooth ventral surface to ambulacral plates, and scapula−shaped lateral plates. Weigeltura sp. differs from Astutuaster in lacking a cupola over the podial basin. Astutuaster differs from the remaining genera of protasterid in the human foot−shape of lateral plates and presence of proximal truncation on laterals to connect with neighbouring plate.

Autekologia

Występowanie geograficzne

Only known from the type locality.

Zasięg czasowy

Early Givetian, Polygnathus hemiansatus Zone.

Materiały muzealne

Holotype GIUS 4−439 Śni./918/1 and 51 specimens from same localization.

Literatura

Boczarowski, A. 2001. Isolated sclerites of Devonian non-pelmatozoan echinoderms. Palaeontologia Polonica 59: 3−220.