Paralophaster hyalinus H.E.S. Clark, 1970b

Mah, Christopher L., 2023, New Genera, Species, and observations on the biology of Antarctic Valvatida (Asteroidea), Zootaxa 5310 (1), pp. 1-88 : 66-67

Paralophaster hyalinus H.E.S. Clark, 1970b

Paralophaster hyalinus H.E.S. Clark, 1970b: 177 ; H.E.S. Clark & McKnight 2001: 10–11.

Diagnosis

Body stellate (R/r=2.25–3.00), arms triangular, disk thick, interradial arcs acute. Abactinal plates forming an irregular reticulate network, paxillate, each with four to five basal lobes. Paxillae each with hyaline spinelets, 8–25, each spinelet with single to bifid-tipped points. Marginal plates paxillate, 16–18 per arm side (32–36 per interradius). Each paxillae with hyaline spinelets, Superomarginal paxillae with more slender shaft than inferomarginals which are more trunk-like. Superomarginal paxillar spinelets, 15–25; inferomarginal paxillar spinelets 13–24. Spinelets on both, fine, hyaline. Actinal intermediate region small. Actinal plates lobate with four to five basal lobes, each with pedunculate surface bearing 4–5 hyaline, thorn-tipped spines. Adambulacral plates separated by tissue filled space. Furrow spines 2–4, hyaline tipped with basal web. Subambulacral spines 4, positioned oblique to right angles relative to furrow spines. Each subambulacral spine with serrate edge, especially at tip (“needle-like points” of H.E.S. Clark 1970b: 179). Oral plates broad with basally webbed spines, 6–8, suboral spines two or three, similar to furrow spines.

Comment

Specimens examined corresponded to the description outlined by H.E.S. Clark (1970b) and Clark & McKnight (2001). However they were distorted and damage by preservation/collection and these appeared very close to Lophaster . Further work and comparison with other South Pacific Lophaster material is warranted.

Occurrence

Challenger Ridge , Chatham Rise , Bounty Platform , Macquarie Ridge, South Pacific. 39–890 m.

Material Examined

USNM 1662076 , Macquarie Ridge, New Zealand, South Pacific. −51.008, 162.017, 333–371 m. Coll. R/V Eltanin, USAP. 1 dry spec. R=2.4 r=0.8.

USNM 1662077 , Macquarie Ridge, New Zealand, South Pacific. −53.75, 159.075, 787–842 m. Coll. Coll. R/V Eltanin, USAP. 1 dry spec. R=1.8 r=0.8.