Evoplosoma sp. 2

Mah, Christopher L., 2022, New Genera, Species and Occurrences of Deep-Sea Asteroidea (Valvatacea, Forcipulatacea, Echinodermata) collected from the North Pacific Ocean by the CAPSTONE Expedition, Zootaxa 5164 (1), pp. 1-75 : 49

Evoplosoma sp. 2

FIGURE 15C

The species of this individual displayed a more pronounced disk set off from the arms and appeared different from the Evoplosoma forcipifera collected on other occasions.

Also unusual was the observation of this species on what appeared to be a bare antipatharian stalk. It was unclear whether this indicated a post-feeding event or if perhaps the star was feeding on some other epizoic prey on the surface of the stalk, such as hydroids or the barnacles observed farther up the stalk ( Fig. 15C ). An ophiacanthid brittle star was also present on the stalk.

Image Examined

Perched on antipatharian. North Maro Seamount, Hawaiian Islands region, 25.81346091, -171.0927847, 1613 m. EX1504 L2_IMG_20150816 T234435 Z_ ROVHD _COR_ ASR.jpg

Figures

FIGURE 15. Evoplosoma nuku n. sp. USNM 1457372. A. Abactinal view. Scale bar=5.0 mm. B. Abactinal-lateral view showing surface features. Scale bar=2.0 mm. C. Actinal view. Scale bar=5.0 mm. Inset showing pedicellariae and surface features. Individual pedicellariae=1.0 mm length. D. Lateral view showing features of the superomarginal and inferomarginal plates. Scale bar=3.0 mm. E. Adambulacral armature showing furrow and subambulacral spines. Scale bar=2.0 mm. F. In situ observation, Johnston Atoll, 1603 m. G. Actinal surface showing off plate shape, surface features. Scale bar=2.0 mm.