Clark, H.E.S.; McKnight, D.G. 2001. The marine fauna of New Zealand: Echinodermata: Asteroidea (sea-stars) order Valvatida. Wellington, NZ: NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research). NIWA Biodiversity Memoir 117, 269 p., 49 colour pls.
Abstract
Sea-stars in the order Valvatida have been described for the New Zealand biogeographic region (24° to 57° S, 157° E to 167° W), including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk, Kermadec, and Macquarie Ridges. Five superfamilies, 12 families, 54 genera, and 96 species-rank taxa are represented throughout the region (this includes 5 unidentified species): Goniasteroidea (Goniasteridae, 35 species and subspecies; Asterodiscididae, 2 species), Odontasteroidea (Odontasteridae, 9 species; Chaetasteridae, 1 species), Ganerioidea (Ganeriidae, 4 species; Asterinidae, 16 species; Poraniidae, 2 species), Ophidiasteroidea (Ophidiasteridae, 21 species; Mithrodiidae, 1 species), and Oreasteroidea (Oreasteridae, 1 species; Asteropseidae, 2 species; Acanthasteridae, 2 species). Two new goniasterid genera (Eknomiaster, Kermitaster) are described. Nine new species and one new subspecies are described in the genera Calliaster, Ceramaster, Eknomiaster, Kermitaster, Mediaster, Sphaeriodiscus (Goniasteridae), Odontaster (Odontasteridae), Nepanthia (Asterinidae), and Tamaria (Ophidiasteridae). Of the 95 species recorded in the wider region, 64 species are found within the boundaries of the EEZ, of which 30 are endemic. Five genera are endemic to the EEZ: Eknomiaster, Enigrnaster, Kermitaster (Goniasteridae), Knightaster (Ganeriidae), and Acheronaster (Oreasteridae). Four other genera are newly recorded for the EEZ: Dissogenes (Ophidiasteridae), Philonaster, Plinthaster (Goniasteridae ), and Tremaster (Asterinidae ). The family Goniasteridae dominates the Valvatida in the region, both in terms of the numbers of species (c. 38%) and of specimens (c. 2580 specimens out of c. 3630 for all species, i.e., 71%); in a 1970 survey of New Zealand echinoderms, only 8 taxa of Goniasteridae were recorded compared to the present 36. All 12 families of Valvatida recorded here are present on the continental shelf and six appear confined to depths of 200 m or less, viz. Acanthasteridae, Asperopseidae, Chaetasteridae, Mithrodiidae, Oreasteridae, and Poraniidae. Only four species extend to depths exceeding 1000 m. The deepest record is that of Plinthaster dentatus from 2910 m. Of the 95 species, some 72 have a known latitudinal range of six degrees or less within the region. Dissections were made of many of the goniasterid species. No internal parasites were encountered (auths)