Morphology and ontogeny of the Cambrian edrioasteroid echinoderm Cambraster cannati from western Gondwana

A review of the Cambrian edrioasteroid echinoderm Cambraster cannati is made based on new collections from the Iberian Chains (NE Spain) and Montagne Noire (France). New morphological data include a completely articulated oral area and details of ambulacra. Specimens ranging from 4 to 26 mm in diameter provide detailed information concerning the full ontogeny. Important changes through ontogeny mainly affect the marginal ring and the plating pattern of the aboral surface. Comparison with other species of Cambrasterindicates that the aboral surface of Cambraster tastudorum from Australia shows strong resemblance to juvenile specimens of C. cannati. Cambraster cannati was attached directly to the substrate and inhabited relatively high energy, offshore environments from the west margin of Gondwana. Abnormalities in the skeleton are described for the first time in a Cambrian edrioasteroid.