First records of the stalked crinoid fauna (Echinodermata : Crinoidea) of Taiwan

This is the first record of stalked crinoids from Taiwan waters. The specimens collected during the Taiwan 2000 cruise are referred to the pentacrinid genera Metacrinus, Saracrinus, Endoxocrinus and Hypalocrinus. Five different species are described from 70 specimens collected from depths between 221 to 876 metres. Data on morphological features, biometry, arm branching and ossicle articulations are given for each species. Stalk ossicles were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with regard to their taxonomic importance. Collection of numerous individuals of most species permitted study of variation in crown and stalk characters and revealed that their stalks and arms exhibit high intraspecific polymorphism. Some of these forms are interpreted as a consequence of ecophenotypic or geographical variations.