Hippasteria muscipula Mah et al. 2014

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 : 224-225

Hippasteria muscipula Mah et al. 2014

Figures 4 D, E

Mah et al. 2014: 424, 427, 438, Figure 6.

Occurrence. North and South Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand and south of New Caledonia. 425–1500 m.

Taxonomic comments. Grigg et al. (1987) characterized seamount fauna and assessed benthic ecology on Seamounts on Cross Seamount in the Hawaiian region. They list “ Hippasteria spinosa ”, (= H. phrygiana ), which was is known in the North Pacific from the west coast of North America, among the observed fauna. Neither images nor specimens of this species could be located, but it bears close resemblance to Hippasteria muscipula . However H. phrygiana is known from widely distant Pacific localities (e.g., Solomon Islands, New Zealand, see Mah et al. 2014), so it is possible that this could represent an unidentified account of this widely occurring species.

In situ observations. Hippasteria muscipula has been observed hunched over, with its stomach extended, clearly feeding on isidid octocorals off the Kona coast (P5-488-d4-03015a, P5-488-d4-03015b), leaving the internal skeleton bare of fleshy tissue and polyps in its wake ( Fig. 4 D). The species indicated as “ H. imperialis ” feeding on ididid corals by Mah et al. (2010: 292) is Hippasteria muscipula . A second video observation of what is apparently H. muscipula , by the R/V Okeanos Explorer in the Celebes Sea shows further predatory behavior on an unidentified pink octocoral ( Fig. 4 E).

Video observations. Kona, Big Island: P5-488-d4-0301a,b.19.6284416, -156.0389483. 674 m.

Celebes Sea, Indonesia ( Okeanos Explorer-Index-SATAL Expedition): expl5545: 20100806_04h01m33s17_ROVHD_ STARFISH_APPROACH: 2.68676 N, 125.2608 E, Depth: 1279.4 m 20100701_05h 28m 41s10_ ROVHD_STAR; 4.67218 N, 125.25679 E, Depth: 873.0 m.

Figures

FIGURE 4. In situ video observations of other Goniasteridae. A. Calliderma emma in situ on sandy substrate B. C irceaster pullus feeding on isidid octorcoral. C. C. pullus with swollen disk, likely feeding on isidid octocoral. D. Hippasteria muscipula feeding on isidid ocotocrals, off Kona, HI. E. H. muscipula feeding on soft coral in Celebes Sea. F. Plinthaster ceramoidea feeding on Gerardia?