本研究透過構造觀察與形態計測，針對出現於關子嶺地區的一群形態上與現生的Taiwanaster mai十分類似的小型沙錢海膽化石，比較其與現生種Taiwanaster mai之異同，結果顯示兩者在構造上與形態變化上均有差異，應為同屬但不同種，本研究將關子嶺地區發現的這群沙錢海膽化石暫定為Taiwanaster sp.。依照構造上的差異及產出之地層年代，認為關子嶺地區的Taiwanaster sp. 在Taiwanaster屬的演化中是介於Taiwanaster pitouensis與Taiwanaster mai之間的。
　　比較Taiwanaster sp. 與Taiwanaster mai兩者之主要差異為：(1)外觀構造上，口面間步帶骨板的連續情形不同。(2)殼內部支持構造分佈不同。(3)形態計測分析上，現生種之殼寬對殼長在發生過程中呈異率生長；而化石種則呈等率生長。另外，在形態計測分析中發現，化石與現生種的殼高對殼長比例上均漸減少及口的相對位置一直維持固定，這兩點顯現一致的趨勢，或可做為本屬的共同鑑別特徵。

　　Lots of small clypeasteroid echinoid fossils were collected around Kuantseling area, Tainan. Morphologically they are similar to Taiwanaster mai clypeasteroid echinoid. Comparison between these two kinds of echinoids has been done according to their exterior features and their morphological measurements. Results show that there are certain differences in their exterior features as well as in their morphology. The name of Taiwanaster sp. is therefore given to the fossils. According to difference of morphological features and their occurring geological time point, this paper suggests that Taiwanaster sp. is developed between Taiwanaster pitouensis and Taiwanaster mai in the evolutionary lineage of Taiwanaster.
　　The main difference between Taiwanaster sp. and Taiwanaster mai are: (1) The continuity of interambulacral plates at oral surface. (2) Distribution of inner structures support. (3) The morphological measurements show that the width to the length is relative in anisometric growth trend in Taiwanaster mai but isometric in Taiwanaster sp..
Two similar trends are also found, according to the morphological measurments in fossil Taiwanaster sp. and living Taiwanaster mai. The ratio of height to length decreases in percentage, however the location of mouth keeps in a constant. It is suggested that these two conclusions may become the classification characteristics of genus Taiwanaster.

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