Monachaster Döderlein, 1916

Mah, Christopher L., 2018, New genera, species and occurrence records of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) from the Indian Ocean, Zootaxa 4539 (1), pp. 1-116 : 65

Monachaster Döderlein, 1916

Comments. Monachaster , in addition to Goniodiscaster and Anthenea represent genera intermediate between the Oreasteridae and the Goniasteridae , and as such have been transferred between the two groups throughout their taxonomic history. Based on the abactinal-facing superomarginals, and the paired, interradial abactinal plate pattern similar to those of Stellaster and Stellasteropsis , I agree with Tortonese (1976) and Walenkamp (1990) among others who have placed Monachaster within the Goniasteridae rather than the Oreasteridae .

Some characters, such as the, dense granular covering, the minimal adambulacral spination and the bald patches on the superomarginals, also suggest Monachaster shows affinities with the Ferdininae (Goniasteridae) as described by Mah (2017).