Pedicellaster, M.Sars, 1861

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 : 210

Pedicellaster sp.

Figure 3D

This species was identified based on its abactinal skeleton’s similarity to Pedicellaster and apparent lack of prominent inferomarginal spines. Pedicellaster pourtalesi Perrier 1881 has been collected from this general area, but occurs in 232–549 m versus 2167 m for the observed specimen, making this unlikely.

This species displays its arm, tube feet and oral surface wrapped around a colony of sibogolinid worm tubes ( Fig. 3D ). Although feeding, it is unclear whether it is the worms or the epibionts on the worm tubes which represent the prey item.

Image Observed

Mud volcano WR488 site, Gulf of Mexico 26.47179, -91.7235, 2167 m EX1803_IMG_20180420T174749Z_ROVHD.jpg

Figures

FIGURE 3. Ampheraster alaminos and Pedicellaster sp. feeding. A. In situ observation of USNM 1550644. B. In situ observation of A. alaminos from Blake Ridge, 3372 m. R=5.7 cm. C. Ampheraster alaminos moving along substrate, North West Florida Escarpment, 2977 m. D. In situ observation of Pedicellaster sp. feeding on sibogolinid worm tubes. WR488 site, 2167 m.