New species and global revision ofHippasteria(Hippasterinae: Goniasteridae; Asteroidea; Echinodermata)

Abstract

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Hippasteria, rooted against Evoplosoma, has provided the basis for taxonomic revisions and provided insight into the biogeography of a widely occurring, cold‐water group of corallivorous asteroids. Herein, we describe three new species, Hippasteria mcknighti sp. nov., Hippasteria muscipula sp. nov., and Hippasteria tiburoni sp. nov., from deep‐water settings. Additionally, in light of taxonomic changes, we further elaborate on distribution data for multiple species. Range extensions for Hippasteria phrygiana and Hippasteria californica are included. Discussions about biogeography, cladogenic events, and morphology are also presented. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>Two partial mitochondrial gene sequences (COI and 12S-rRNA) suggested that <em>Ceramaster japonicus</em> (Sladen, 1889) and <em>Ceramaster patagonicus</em> (Sladen, 1889) (Asteroidea: Goniasteridae) from the Japanese waters are probably of the same species</strong></p>

“…Comparisons with other widely occurring taxa Hippasteria phrygiana, another widely occurring goniasterid, is present in cold and temperate water settings in both North and South Hemispheres, by several representative species and subspecies in South Africa, Brazil, New Zealand, and the Aleutians (Mah et al 2014). However molecular phylogeography by Foltz et al (2008) showed very low genetic distances between populations, indicating that these were all one widelyoccurring species, Hippasteria phrygiana, which showed a considerable amount of variation across its range.…”