Circeaster sandrae Mah, 2006

Mah, Christopher L., 2024, New genera and species of deep-sea Goniasteridae (Asteroidea) from the North Pacific, Zootaxa 5543 (4), pp. 451-500 : 469

Circeaster sandrae Mah, 2006

FIGURE 17A–C

Circeaster sandrae Mah 2006: 938 , Fig. 6A–C .

Diagnosis

R/r = 3–4. Abactinal arm plates similar to disk plates in size, becoming gradually larger on arm.

Arm plates one to two times as large as disk plates, extending to arm tip. Granules round, low scattered over disk, arm base, disappearing near arm tip. Granules rounded, low, scattered over marginal plate surface. Subambulacral spine enlarged, laterally adjacent to pedicellariae, paddle-like, toothed.

Comments

The figured individuals were identified based on the presence of enlarged abactinal plates extending to the arm terminus. It represents a new occurrence to the Pacific Remote Islands Monument, north of the distribution outlined in Mah (2006).

Occurrence

Baker Island, Remote Pacific Islands, 674.– 1543.8 m. South Pacific Ocean, Tonga, New Caledonia, Marquesas Islands. 705–1000 m.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Cladaster kiko n. sp. MCZ 162797. Holotype. A. Abactinal B. In situ observation. C. Abactinal-lateral view. D. Abactinal-lateral view showing abactinal and superomarginal surface. E. Actinal F. Adambulacral plates showing large furrow spines. Scale bar=10.0 mm, A, E; Scale bar=5.0 mm: C, D; Scale bar=1.0 mm: F.

FIGURE 17. Circeaster sandrae Mah 2006. A–B. Feeding on Victorgorgia, Karin Ridge, 1680.4 m, Scale bar=~5.0 cm. C. Occurrence, Baker Island, 674.3 m.