Disasterina akajimaensis sp. nov. [New Japanese name: Akajima-numeri-itomaki-hitode] (Table 1; Figs 2–6) Disasterina odontacantha: Saba et al. 2008: 19–20. [Not Disasterina odontacantha Liao, 1980] Material examined. H olotype: NSMT E-6758, Kushibaru beach, Akajima Island, Ryukyu Islands (26°12.6'N, 127°16.6'E), intertidal, under rock, collected by M. Saba, on 19 November 2006. The specimen was directly preserved in 99% ethanol. Description of holotype.B ody thin, stellate with 5 tapering arms, slightly convex abactinally, at actinally (Fig. 2). R/r=16.9/ 8.1 mm =2.1. Body entirely covered by smooth integment obscuring underlying skeletal plates in life, but plates visible a er preservation in alcohol. Abactinal plates imbricated, irregular in shape (circular, triangular, oval, and slender), and variable in size, maximally 1.6× 0.4 mm; unarmed, except 4 plates surrounding anal pore each having 2–5 short, sacciform spinelets (Figs 3A–C, 4A). Ten large and slender and about 25 small abactinal plates almost regularly arranged to surround pentagonal area at center of disc (Fig. 3A). In central pentagonal area, about 43 small abactinal plates arranged in mesh with papulae in spaces. Outside central pentagonal area, abactinal plates in interradial triangular part strongly imbricated (Fig. 3A); 10–12 large plates attached rmly to each other to form rigid area (Fig. 3A) internally connected with internal pillar (Fig. 5A). Abactinal plates in radial part contiguous or slightly imbricated, arranged irregularly in mesh with papulae in openings (Fig. 3A, C). Those just inside marginal plates strongly imbricated, smaller than those in inner part (Fig. 3C). Anal pore present at center of disc enclosed by above-mentioned plates with spinelets (Fig. 3A). Madreporite roundish pentagonal, situated just outside central pentagonal area, with about 16 sacciform spinelets on periphery (Fig. 3B). Superomarginal plates minute, 5–7 in number, not forming distinct series. Inferomarginal plates 30–35 in number, arranged in series; ...