Bathyceramaster Mah, 2016

Mah 2016: 105

Diagnosis (m odified from Mah, 2016).

Abactinal plates tabulate, low to moderate in height with fasciolar grooves, variably shallow to well-developed, plates lacking stellate bases. Abactinal, marginal, actinal surfaces covered by densely arranged polygonal to round granules. Bald patch on marginal plates present on a minority of taxa, absent on most. Body stellate, many species with well-developed arms (R/ r=1.8–4.0).

Taxonomic Comments

Bathyceramaster was recognized for Mediaster elegans Ludwig 1905, which lacked the diagnostic stellate projections at the base of the abactinal tabulae. Six species are now recognized, occurring in deep-sea settings (approximately 680–3400 m) from the Atlantic and the Pacific. Bathyceramaster spp. shows a stellate to strongly stellate shape, tabulate plates with weak to strong fasciolar grooves, with granulation present on the abactinal and marginal plate surfaces. A key to Bathyceramaster species is presented by Mah, in review.