Hippasterinae Verrill 1899

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 : 222

Hippasterinae Verrill 1899

Verrill, 1899: 174; Fisher, 1906: 1165; 1910: 223

In situ observations. Video images (below) show two different species of Hippasteria in the region. Diversity of Hippasteria in the Hawaiian region incorporates recent work presented by Mah et al. (2014). This includes the newly described Hippasteria muscipula Mah et al. (2014) and a second species which lacks the abundant spination and closely resembles the Japanese Hippasteria imperialis . Based on Mah et al. (2014) H. imperialis was synonymized with H. phrygiana but only one data point was sampled and morphological differences remain very distinct. It is retained separately herein until further data can be assessed.

The P5-689 images show a hippasterine feeding on a gorgonian colony. This animal could not be confidently identified to genus, but based on the spination, either Evoplosoma forcipifera or H. muscipula are the most likely candidates.

Video observations. P5-689-d3-05550, 0 5353, 0 3050. Twin Banks, NW Hawaiian Islands. 23.0468, - 163.1613, 1430–1433 m.