Solaster, E.Forbes, 1839

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 : 241

Solaster sp. 2 “yellow”

Figure 18F

This species displayed nine arms, possessed more abundant paxillae in a close, ordered and nearly imbricate pattern. Similar to Solaster sp. 1, this species also possessed large, distinct, evenly spaced paxillae forming an actinolateral boundary but spines appeared more elongate. Color in life was a light yellow.

Ecological Notes

Solaster sp. 2 was observed over an opening in the rock face where ophiuroids were noticeably present suggesting that it was moving in place to feed. Jangoux (1982) has listed ophiuroids as prey items for several Atlantic species, such as Solaster endeca , to which this species shows some similarity.

Images Examined

Richardson’s Jellyfish, 32.094912, -77.665695, 846 m

EX1903L2_IMG_20190701T141732Z_ROVHD.jpg

Figures

FIGURE 18. Ophidiaster guildingi and Solaster spp. A. O. guildingi on large sponge. South of Okeanos Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, 424 m. B. O. guildingi on encrusting organisms. South of Okeanos Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, 25.60506 -84.55012, 480 m C. O. guildingi with arm on sponge. Stetson Mesa Terrace, 445 m. D. O. guildingi feeding on cup corals. South of Okeanos Ridge, Gulf of Mexico, 435 m. E. Orange species with crab associate (enlarged inset). Pamlico Canyon Ridge, North Atlantic 1587 m F. White species. Richardson’s Jellyfish, 846 m.