Bathyceramaster sp. 1

Mah, Christopher L., 2024, Two New Taxa of Goniasteridae (Asteroidea, Echinodermata) and Noteworthy Observations of Deep-Sea Asteroidea by the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in the North and Tropical Atlantic, Zootaxa 5432 (4), pp. 461-508 : 478-480

Bathyceramaster sp. 1

FIGURE 7A–B

Description

Body shape more weakly stellate to stellate R/r= approximately 1.6 to 2.0 (estimated), arms triangular, tapering, interradial arcs weakly curved to linear. Abactinal plates widely spaced, with surficial granules (indistinct). Superomarginals wide, 24–28 (30?) per interradius with penultimate plate twice the size of adjacent superomarginals. Distalmost penultimate superomarginal plates closely abutted. Surface of superomarginal plates with quadrate-shaped bald patch on plate surface. Bald patch on inferomarginal plate rectangular present on upper half of plate surface adjacent to contact with superomarginal. Surficial granules (or spinelets) present on both surfaces, widely spaced. Pointed spine present on terminal plate. Adambulacral spination is not clearly visible but single furrow spines present from armtip.

Color in life is orange.

Comments

The observed individual was placed in the genus Bathyceramaster based on its weakly tabulate abactinal plates, body shape, and the bald patches present on the marginal plates ( Fig. 7B ).

Although comparable to Bathyceramaster kelliottae n. sp. this specimen differs in several respects, notably body shape, color, distinct bald patches on the superomarginal plates and differing superomarginal surface convexity, abutted superomarginal plates over the midline, more elongate and tapering arms and likely represents an undescribed species.

Ecological Comments

The observed individual had its arms and tube feet extended and was positioned over, and presumably feeding upon, cladorhizid sponges, similar to Asbestopluma sp. ( Fig. 7A ).

Image Observed

North Bermuda Tritop, North Atlantic 33.660875, -60.33573, 2578 m EX2104_IMG_20210703T152451Z_ROVHD.jpg

EX2104_IMG_20210703T152704Z_ROVHD.jpg

EX2104_IMG_20210703T152837Z_ROVHD.jpg

Figures

FIGURE 7. Bathyceramaster spp. in situ. (Goniasteridae) A. and B. Same individual.Bathyceramaster sp. 1. B shows different angle highlighting abactinal surface. Sp. 1. feeding on cladorhizid sponge, North Bermuda Tritop, 2578 m. C. Sp. 2. feeding on encrusting organism, Yakutat seamount, 2096 m.