Sea-Stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from "Eltanin" Cruise 26, with a Review of the New Zealand Asteroid Fauna
Abstract
Abstract
A collection of Asteroids made by the USNS "Eltanin" in depths ranging from 167–4868 m. off the New Zealand coast is described. The material comprises 116 specimens in 19 genera and 20 species; 6 genera, Stylasterias, Brisinga, Porcellanaster, Eremicaster, Styracaster, and Pectinaster are new records for New Zealand waters and 2 species, Brisinga tasmani and Plutonaster fragilis, and one variety are new to science. The zoological relationships of the New Zealand asteroid fauna are briefly discussed. A brief historical review of literature dealing with New Zealand starfish is presented together with an annotated check-list of species known from New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, the Subantarctic Islands and the Kermadec Islands.