Sthenaster emmae
Sthenaster emmae is a species of deep sea corallivorous (preys on deep-sea corals) sea star. It is the only known species in its genus. This species in particular is found in the tropical Atlantic.[1]
| Sthenaster emmae | |
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| Subfamily: | Hippasterinae |
| Genus: | Sthenaster |
| Species: | Sthenaster emmae Mah, Nizinski & Lundsten, 2010 |
Description
The Sthenaster emmae has five arms, a triangular outline, actinal intermediate plates, abactinal plates, ranges from 42mm - 45mm wide, and is usually an orange color. On the actual intermediate plates, there are poorly developed teeth. In contrast, on each abactinal plate, there are about 9 to 12 interlocking teeth per valve present.[1]
Habitat
Sthenaster emmae was first found off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida and 250-501 meters outside of the ocean banks in Savannah, Georgia.[1] At the Savannah Banks, the Sthenaster emmae are found on hard rock substrate, where various sponges, corals, coral rubble, and gorgonians also share that habitat.[1]
References
- Mah, Christopher; Nizinski, Martha; Lundsten, Lonny (2010). "Phylogenetic revision of the Hippasterinae (Goniasteridae; Asteroidea): systematics of deep sea corallivores, including one new genus and three new species". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 160 (2): 266–301. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2010.00638.x. ISSN 0024-4082.
Further reading
- Mah, Christopher L. "A new Atlantic species of Evoplosoma with taxonomic summary and in situ observations of Atlantic deep-sea corallivorous Goniasteridae (Valvatida; Asteroidea)." Marine Biodiversity Records 8 (2015): e5.