New Goniasteridae and in situ observations significant to deep-sea coral predation

Abstract

Eight new species, including one new genus, Armaster chondros n. gen. sp., Atheraster luma n. sp., Atheraster phaeos n. sp., Atheraster umbo n. sp., Circeaster dux n. sp., Evoplosoma besseyae n. sp., Evoplosoma mystrion n. sp. and Evoplosoma pharos n. sp. are newly described from Australian waters. Atheraster, Circeaster and Evoplosoma have been reported previously as predators on deep-sea octocorals. Evoplosoma, Gilbertaster and Hippasteria are members of the Hippasterinae, which have also been reported as predators on deep-sea corals and other cnidarians, suggesting that this interaction occurs in Australian deep-sea settings. Atheraster, Circeaster and Armaster are referred to a new subfamily, the Circeasterinae. Ecological and systematic implications for the Goniasteridae are discussed. An in situ observation of a myxasterid predating upon an octocoral is also reported.