Solaster sp. 1

Mah, Christopher L., 2022, New Genera, Species and Occurrences of Deep-Sea Asteroidea (Valvatacea, Forcipulatacea, Echinodermata) collected from the North Pacific Ocean by the CAPSTONE Expedition, Zootaxa 5164 (1), pp. 1-75 : 67

Solaster sp. 1

FIGURE 23 B–C

Comments. This species is characterized by its eight arms and irregularly distributed paxillae on the abactinal surface ( Fig. 23B, C ). Color of this individual was a dark brown color with arms gradually changing to maroon. This individual also displayed significantly darker paxillar spinelets relative to the color present on the abactinal surface ( Fig. 23B, C ).

Although this individual shows the same number of arms as an eight armed Solaster namakae n. sp., S. namakae has distinct transverse rows and a brighter orange color. This species shows irregularly distributed paxillae and different, darker colors. In addition to these characters and the absence of any known solasterids from the Hawaiian Islands region this image likely represents a second undescribed species.

Images Examined

Salmon Bank , Hawaiian Islands, 26.81762417, -176.3146262, 1970 m (for all images below) EX1504 L2_IMG_20150811 T214311 Z_ ROVHD _ ASR _UNK_01.jpg EX1504 L2_IMG_20150811 T214530 Z_ ROVHD _ ASR _UNK_01.jpg EX1504 L2_IMG_20150811 T214321 Z_ ROVHD _ ASR _UNK_01.jpg EX1504 L2_IMG_20150811 T214640 Z_ ROVHD _ ASR _UNK_01.jpg

Figures

FIGURE 23. Solaster spp. A. Solaster namake n. sp. orange form, in situ. Hawaiian Islands. B. Solaster sp. 1, Whole body in situ image. C. Close-up showing paxillae and other details. D Solaster sp. 2, Marianas Island region, 447 m. Urspine= pedinid urchin spines. Oph= ophiuroid.