Mediaster Stimpson, 1857

Mediaster sladeni Benham

• Benham, W. B., 1909. Rec. Cant. Mus. 1 (2), p. 94–7, Pl. VII.

Material Examined: Thirteen specimens from the following archibenthal stations: 250–300 fathoms, Canyon B, off east Otago, Dom. Mus. Station B.S. 191, page 112 specimens; 125 fathoms, Chatham Rise, Station 51 of the Chatham Islands 1954 Expedition, 11 specimens.

The species is known also from the Cook Strait shelf as a somewhat rare form at depths greater than 40 fathoms. Benham's holotype was a unique specimen from 25–30 fathoms off Oamaru, and apparently the species has not been recorded from any other locality till now. The Chatham Rise material presents some considerable variation in form, and this will be illustrated photographically in the official report of the Chatham Islands Expedition.