Evoplosoma forcipifera Fisher 1906

Mah, Christopher L., 2015, New species, corallivory, in situ video observations and overview of the Goniasteridae (Valvatida, Asteroidea) in the Hawaiian Region, Zootaxa 3926 (2), pp. 211-228 : 224

Evoplosoma forcipifera Fisher 1906

Fisher 1906: 1065; Clark 1993: 253; Mah 2010: 280.

Occurrence. Hawaiian Islands, east of Kauai Island, 48°S 15'W. 929–1247 m (682–508 fms)

In situ observations. Evoplosoma forcipifera Fisher 1906 also occurs in the Hawaiian region. Although unambiguous video records of this species were not observed, one hippasterine asteroid which was observed feeding on a deep-sea coral was tentatively identified as this species (P5-689-d3-05353, P5—689-d3-05500, P5- 689-d5-03050) but could also possibly be H. muscipula . Figure 108 in Chave and Malahoff (1998: 45) shows a goniasterid on the gorgonian Ellisella sp., which has been identified as Calliaster pedicellaris , but is more likely either Evoplosoma forcipifera or H. muscipula . Mah et al. (2010) has documented several other species of Evoplosoma which are predators on deep-sea octocorals.