Cheiraster cf. echinulatus (Perrier, 1875)

Mah, Christopher L., 2020, New species, occurrence records and observations of predation by deep-sea Asteroidea (Echinodermata) from the North Atlantic by NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer, Zootaxa 4766 (2), pp. 201-260 : 212

Cheiraster cf. echinulatus (Perrier, 1875)

Figure 4C

This species was observed partly buried with its superomarginal edge lying flush alongside the surface of the bottom sediment. Other species of benthopectinids have been observed during Okeanos Explorer cruises sitting out on open substrates (Mah, unpublished observations), making this the first to be seen buried in the sediment with its spines projecting upwards, suggesting that they are used for defense, perhaps while the animal feeds on underlying sediment or sediment-related prey.

Image Observed

Pourtales Terrace, Gulf of Mexico, 24.28439, -82.25347, 332 m. EX1803_IMG_20180502T192533Z_ROVHD.jpg

Figures

FIGURE 4. Paxillosida. Dytaster insignis A. Orange form. West Florida Escarpment, Gulf of Mexico, 2987 m. B. White form, Perdido Canyon, Gulf of Mexico, 26.1471, 94.86584, 2745 m. C. Cheiraster cf. echinulatus Pourtales Terrace, Gulf of Mexico, 332 m.