Henricia pumila Eernisse, Strathmann & Strathmann 2010

Biology/Natural History: This species broods its eggs and embryos under the central disk until they crawl away as juveniles. Brooding seems to occur January to April.

Geographical Range: The type specimen is from San Juan Island, WA. This is the only small, brooding Henricia in the Puget Sound area. Full range probably from Sitka, Alaska to upwelling areas in Baja California, but does not appear to inhabit southern California south of Point Conception.

Usually has 5 rays, marginal plates are not conspicuous at least from the aboral side, Diameter of disk is less than 1/3 the total diameter but is more than 1/5 the total diameter. Has no pedicellariae. Aboral surface is gritty but has no large spines. The recent diagnosis from Eernisse et al., 2010 of this newly named species to separate it from other Henricia species follows: "Small in size; rays stout and short, aboral pseudopaxillae well-spaced, bearing up to 50 short spines with fenestrated, crystalline, smooth-sided shafts tipped by up to 10 heavy sharp points that do not noticeably splay. Aboral color in life usually a mottled pattern of ochre, brown, gray, rust-red, or yellow; oral color yellow to cream." The madreporite of the type specimen is creamy yellow. Gonopores orally-directed, eggs non-buoyant, development benthic and brooded. The oral side is cream or yellow Ray length ranges at least from 4.1 to 29.4 mm.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Most other Henricia do not have a mottled aboral side, broadcast spawn their eggs rather than brood them, have longer rays and a ratio between ray length to inter-ray disk radius of more than 5.