• Mah, C. & Foltz, D. 2011. Molecular Phylogeny of the Forcipulatacea (Asteroidea: Echinodermata): systematics and biogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 162(3): 646-660

History of changes

Introduction

The Asteriidae are a large cosmopolitan family of 59 genera. Eleven genera and 18 species are recorded in Australian waters.

Asteriids are distinguished from other families within the order Forcipulatida by the following combination of character states: arms five or more; disc not sharply delimited from arms; form fissiparous or non-fissiparous; abactinal skeleton reticulate, occasionally in longitudinal series; carinal and marginal plates usually distinct; plates bearing spines; pedicellariae various, including straight and crossed; tube feet in 2–4 longitudinal series.

General References

Blake, D.B. 1987. A classification and phylogeny of post-Palaeozoic sea-stars (Asteroidea: Echinodermata). Journal of Natural History 21: 481-528

Fisher, W.K. 1928. Asteroidea of the North Pacific and adjacent waters. Part 2. Forcipulata (part). Bulletin of the United States National Museum 76: 1-245 6 figs pls 1-81

Spencer, W.K. & Wright, C.W. 1966. Asterozoans. pp. U4-U107 figs 1-89 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part U. Echinodermata. 3. Asterozoa-Echinozoa. Kansas : Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Vol. 1.

History of changes

• Anasterias Perrier, E. 1875. Révision de la Collection de Stellérides du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris : C. Reinwald et Cie 384 pp. [also published in Arch. Zool.] [81].
• Calvasterias Perrier, E. 1875. Révision de la Collection de Stellérides du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris : C. Reinwald et Cie 384 pp. [also published in Arch. Zool.] [84].
• Sporasterias Perrier, E. 1894. Echinodermes - Premiére partie. Partie descriptive. I. Stellérides. Expéditions Scientifiques du 'Travailleur' et du 'Talisman' pendent les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883 3: 431 pp., 26 pls. [107].
• Parastichaster Koehler, R. 1920. Echinodermata Asteroidea. Scientific Reports of the Australasian Antarctic Research Expedition, 1911-1914 8: 1-308 pls 1-75.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Fisher, W.K. 1940. Asteroidea. Discovery Reports 20: 69-306 pls 1-23 [231]
• O'Hara, T.D. 1998. Systematics and biology of Macquarie Island echinoderms. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 57(2): 167-223, 4 figs, 5 pls [Date published 1/5/1999]

Distribution

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

History of changes

• Parastichaster directa Koehler, R. 1920. Echinodermata Asteroidea. Scientific Reports of the Australasian Antarctic Research Expedition, 1911-1914 8: 1-308 pls 1-75.

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AM J3636 2 dry specimens, Macquarie Island, 10 Oct 1913, Low tide, coll H. Hamilton, AAE Expedition.

Generic Combinations

• Anasterias directa (Koehler, 1920). —
  Clark, A.M. 1962. Asteroidea. Report of the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, 1928–31 B 9(1): 1-104
• Sporasterias directa (Koehler, 1920). —
  Fisher, W.K. 1930. Asteroidea of the North Pacific and adjacent waters. Part 3. Forcipulata (concluded). Bulletin of the United States National Museum 76: 1-356 pls 1-93

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Island; 0-55 m

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

History of changes

• Parastichaster mawsoni Koehler, R. 1920. Echinodermata Asteroidea. Scientific Reports of the Australasian Antarctic Research Expedition, 1911-1914 8: 1-308 pls 1-75.

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AM J3638 4 syntypes, Macquarie Island, 10 Oct 1913, AAE Expedition.
• Parastichaster sphoerulatus Koehler, R. 1920. Echinodermata Asteroidea. Scientific Reports of the Australasian Antarctic Research Expedition, 1911-1914 8: 1-308 pls 1-75.

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AM J3637 2 syntypes, Macquarie Island, Oct 1913, AAE Expedition.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• O'Hara, T.D. 1998. Systematics and biology of Macquarie Island echinoderms. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 57(2): 167-223, 4 figs, 5 pls [Date published 1/5/1999]

Generic Combinations

• Sporasterias mawsoni (Koehler, 1920). —
  Fisher, W.K. 1930. Asteroidea of the North Pacific and adjacent waters. Part 3. Forcipulata (concluded). Bulletin of the United States National Museum 76: 1-356 pls 1-93
• Anasterias mawsoni (Koehler, 1920). —
  Clark, A.M. 1962. Asteroidea. Report of the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, 1928–31 B 9(1): 1-104

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Heard Island (0–30 m); Macquarie Island (0–357 m)

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

History of changes

• Asterias Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp.

  Type species:

   Asterias rubens Linneaus, 1758 by subsequent designation.

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria

IMCRA

Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

History of changes

• Asterias amurensis Lütken, C.F. 1871. Fortsatte kritiske og beskrivende Bidrag til Kundskab om Söstjernerne (Asteriderne). Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Dansk Naturhistorisk Forening i Kjøbenhavn 23: 227-304 [296].

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Introduced from northern Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

History of changes

• Astrostole Fisher, W.K. 1923. A preliminary synopsis of the Asteriidae, a family of sea-stars. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 9 12(28): 247-258, 596-607 [250, 255].

  Type species:

   Margaraster scaber Hutton, 1872 by original designation (as Margaraster(?) scaber).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs; New Zealand

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

History of changes

• Asterias rodolphi Perrier, E. 1875. Révision de la Collection de Stellérides du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris : C. Reinwald et Cie 384 pp. [also published in Arch. Zool.] [305, 41].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1855.11.19.13, Kermadec Ils, SW Pacific.
• Astrostole insularis Clark, H.L. 1938. Echinoderms from Australia. An account of collections made in 1929 and 1932. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 55: 1-596, figs 1-64, pls 1-28 [191, pl. 8(1)].

  Type data:

   Holotype MCZ 3362, Lord Howe Is., Tasman Sea.
• Astrostole multispina Clark, A.M. 1950. A new species of sea-star from Norfolk Island. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 12 3(77): 808-811 fig. 1 pls 11-12 [808, fig. 1A-B, pls 11-12].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 56.9.24.11, Norfolk Is., Tasman Sea.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Rowe, F.W.E. 1989. Nine new deep-water species of Echinodermata from Norfolk Island and Wanganella Bank, northeastern Tasman Sea, with a checklist of the echinoderm fauna. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 111(4): 257-291 12 figs 1 table [290]
• Rowe, F.W.E. in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. In, Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995] (this synonymy was based on re-examination of extant type specimens and other comparative material in AM and NMNZ which showed no consistent differences between the taxa)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Point Danger, Qld to Bondi, NSW and from Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs; southwest Pacific, Kermadec Ils. Depth range 0-250 m. New Zealand

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, inshore, marine, tropical.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567 (as Astrostole insularis H.L. Clark, 1938)

Town, J.C. 1979. Distribution and dispersal of the genus Astrostole Fisher, 1923 (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 9(4): 385-395 figs 1-3 (also as Astrostole insularis H.L. Clark, 1938, Astrostole multispina A.M. Clark, 1950, Astrostole scabra (Hutton, 1872))

History of changes

• Margaraster scaber Hutton, F.W. 1872. Catalogue of the Echinodermata of New Zealand, with diagnoses of the species. Wellington : Colonial Museum and Geological Survey Department 17 pp. [5].

  Type data:

   Holotype MONZ Ech.90, New Zealand.

Generic Combinations

• Astrostole scabra (Hutton, 1872). —
  Fisher, W.K. 1928. Asteroidea of the North Pacific and adjacent waters. Part 2. Forcipulata (part). Bulletin of the United States National Museum 76: 1-245 6 figs pls 1-81 [130]

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

(Zoological Catalogue) Known only from east Tas; southwest Pacific. Depth range 0-146 m. Also now reported from off Portland and Point Hicks in Victoria (O'Hara, unpublished data)

Introduced from New Zealand.

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Dartnall, A.J. 1969. New Zealand sea stars in Tasmania. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 103: 53-55 figs 1-2

History of changes

• Coronaster Perrier, E. 1884. Mémoire sur les étoiles de mer recueillis dans la mer des Antilles et la golfe du Mexique durant les expéditions de dragage faites sous la direction de M. Alexandre Agassiz. Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 2 6: 127-276 pls 1-10 [272].

  Type species:

   Coronaster brisingoides Perrier, 1884 (=Coronaster parfaiti Perrier, 1885) by monotypy (?=Coronaster parfaiti Perrier, 1885).
• Heterasterias Verrill, A.E. 1914. Monograph of the shallow water starfishes of the North Pacific coast from the Arctic Ocean to California. Harriman Alaska Series 14(1): 1-408 pls 1-110 [46].

  Type species:

   Asterias (Stolasterias) volsellata Sladen, 1889 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Spencer, W.K. & Wright, C.W. 1966. Asterozoans. pp. U4-U107 figs 1-89 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part U. Echinodermata. 3. Asterozoa-Echinozoa. Kansas : Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Vol. 1. [U76]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

South Africa, Philippines, West Pacific Ocean

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Norfolk Island Province (21), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

History of changes

• Coronaster halicepus Fisher, W.K. 1917. The asteroid genus Coronaster. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 30: 23-26 [26].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 37012, between Lubang and Luzon, Philippines.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Wanganella Bank, Tasman Sea; Philippines. Depth range 192-545 m

IMCRA

Norfolk Island Province (21)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine.

General References

Fisher, W.K. 1919. Starfishes of the Philippine seas and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 100(3): 1-712 pls 1-156 [497] (detailed figures)

McKnight, D.G. 1975. Some echinoderms from the northern Tasman Sea. Records of the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute 2(5): 49-76

Rowe, F.W.E. 1989. Nine new deep-water species of Echinodermata from Norfolk Island and Wanganella Bank, northeastern Tasman Sea, with a checklist of the echinoderm fauna. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 111(4): 257-291 12 figs 1 table

History of changes

• Pedicellaster reticulatus Clark, H.L. 1916. I. Report on the sea-lilies, starfishes, brittle-stars and sea-urchins obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. Endeavour Research 4(1): 1-123 figs 1-11 pls 1-44 [69, pl. 27(3-4)].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM E5021, east of Maria Is., TAS.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• McKnight, D.G. 2006. Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Echinodermata: Asteroidea (sea-stars). 3. Orders Velatida, Spinulosida, Forcipulatida, Brisingida with addenda to Paxillosida, Valvatida. NIWA Biodiversity Memoir 120: 1-187

Generic Combinations

• Stylasterias reticulatus (H.L. Clark, 1916). —
  Rowe, F.W.E in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. 213 in Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995]
• Coronaster reticulatus (H.L. Clark, 1916).

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from east of Maria Island, depth 128-174 m

IMCRA

Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, A.M. 1962. Asteroidea. Report of the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, 1928–31 B 9(1): 1-104 (species referred to Stylasterias)

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567 (as Pedicellaster reticulatus H.L. Clark, 1916)

History of changes

• Asterias (Stolasterias) volsellata Sladen, W.P. 1889. Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 30: 1-893 pls 1-117 [584, pl. 107(1-4)].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1890.5.7.1007, near Cebu (as Zebu), Philippines.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Known in Australia only from off Newcastle to Brush Is. NSW; S Africa, west Pacific Ocean. Depth range 82-630 m

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, A.M. & Courtman-Stock, J. 1976. The Echinoderms of Southern Africa. British Museum of Natural History Publication 766: 277 pp, 276 figs

Clark, A.M. & Downey, M.E. 1992. Starfishes of the Atlantic. London : Natural History Museum and Chapman Hall 794 pp. 75 figs 113 pls.

History of changes

• Coscinasterias Verrill, A.E. 1867. Notes on the Radiata in the Museum of Yale College with descriptions of new genera and species. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences 1(2): 247-351 [248].

  Type species:

   Coscinasterias muricata Verrill, 1867 by monotypy.
• Stolasterias Sladen, W.P. 1889. Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 30: 1-893 pls 1-117 [583] [proposed with subgeneric rank in Asterias Linnaeus, 1758].

  Type species:

   Asterias tenuispina Lamarck, 1816 by subsequent designation, see Fisher, W.K. 1923. A preliminary synopsis of the Asteriidae, a family of sea-stars. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 9 12(28): 247-258, 596-607 [256].
• Lytaster Perrier, E. 1894. Echinodermes - Premiére partie. Partie descriptive. I. Stellérides. Expéditions Scientifiques du 'Travailleur' et du 'Talisman' pendent les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883 3: 431 pp., 26 pls. [98].

  Type species:

   Lytaster inaequalis Perrier, 1894 by monotypy.
• Polyasterias Perrier, E. 1894. Echinodermes - Premiére partie. Partie descriptive. I. Stellérides. Expéditions Scientifiques du 'Travailleur' et du 'Talisman' pendent les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883 3: 431 pp., 26 pls. [108].

  Type species:

   Asterias tenuispina Lamarck, 1816 by subsequent designation, see Fisher, W.K. 1928. Asteroidea of the North Pacific and adjacent waters. Part 2. Forcipulata (part). Bulletin of the United States National Museum 76: 1-245 6 figs pls 1-81 [128].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

New Zealand, Southwest Pacific Ocean

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

History of changes

• Asterias calamaria Gray, J.E. 1840. A synopsis of the genera and species of the Class Hypostoma (Asterias, Linnaeus). Annals and Magazine of Natural History ns 6: 175-184, 275-290 [179].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1938.8.10.1, Mauritius (as 'Isle de France').

  Subsequent designation references:

  Clark, A.M. & Downey, M.E. 1992. Starfishes of the Atlantic. London : Natural History Museum and Chapman Hall 794 pp. 75 figs 113 pls. [426].

Generic Combinations

• Stolasterias calamaria (Gray, 1840) [Name in Zoological Catalogue, not supported by genetic data according to Waters & Roy (2003)]. —
  Rowe, F.W.E in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. 213 in Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995]
  Waters, J. & Roy, M. 2003. Global phylogeography of the fissiparous sea-star genus Coscinasterias. Marine Biology 142(1): 185-191
• Coscinasterias calamaria (Gray, 1840).

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from Houtman Abrolhos to Point Maud, WA and Heron Is., Qld; Indo-west Pacific Ocean. Depth range 0-18 m.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore, marine, tropical.

General References

Clark, A.M. & Downey, M.E. 1992. Starfishes of the Atlantic. London : Natural History Museum and Chapman Hall 794 pp. 75 figs 113 pls.

Clark, A.M. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1971. Monograph of Shallow-water Indo-west Pacific Echinoderms. London : Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History) 238 pp. 100 figs 31 pls.

Rowe, F.W.E. in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. In, Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995] (some specimens previously identified as this species are Coscinasterias muricata)

History of changes

• Coscinasterias muricata Verrill, A.E. 1867. Notes on the Radiata in the Museum of Yale College with descriptions of new genera and species. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences 1(2): 247-351 [249].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) whereabouts unknown (whereabouts undetermined), Auckland, New Zealand.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Port Denison, Qld to Houtman Abrolhos, WA; southwest Pacific. Depth range 0-140 m. New Zealand

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Rowe, F.W.E. 1989. Nine new deep-water species of Echinodermata from Norfolk Island and Wanganella Bank, northeastern Tasman Sea, with a checklist of the echinoderm fauna. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 111(4): 257-291 12 figs 1 table [290] (considered a valid species and taken out of synonymy with Coscinasterias calamaria (Gray))

Rowe, F.W.E. in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. In, Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995] (on the basis that Coscinasterias muricata Verrill possesses a carinal row of alternating four-lobed and elliptical skeletal plates along each arm, it was raised from the synonymy of Coscinasterias calamaria (Gray, 1840, as Asterias), which shares with Stolasterias tenuispinus (Lamarck, 1816), type species of Stolasterias Sladen, 1889), a carinal row comprising only four-lobed plates. Gray's (1840) species, Asterias calamaria, is herein transferred to the genus Stolasterias Sladen, 1889, which is raised from subgeneric rank within the genus Coscinasterias to generic rank on the basis of the same skeletal character—see also Stolasterias calamaria (Gray))

History of changes

• Perissasterias Clark, H.L. 1923. The echinoderm fauna of South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum 13(7): 221-435 figs 1-4 pls 8-23 [307].

  Type species:

   Perissasterias polyacantha H.L. Clark, 1923 by monotypy.

Distribution

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

History of changes

• Perissasterias polyacantha Clark, H.L. 1923. The echinoderm fauna of South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum 13(7): 221-435 figs 1-4 pls 8-23 [307, pl. 18(3)].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAM A.6445, Lions Head, Cape Town, South Africa.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Off Newcastle, NSW to east of Gabo Is., Vic; South Africa, New Zealand. Depth range 340-549 m.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, A.M. & Courtman-Stock, J. 1976. The Echinoderms of Southern Africa. British Museum of Natural History Publication 766: 277 pp, 276 figs

History of changes

• Sclerasterias Perrier, E. 1891. Sur les Stellérides recueilles dans le golfe de Gascoyne, aux Açores et à Terre-Neuve, pendant les Campagnes scientifiques du Yacht l'Hirondelle. Comptes Rendus (Hebdomadaires) des Séances de l'Academie des Sciences. Série D. Sciences Naturelles 112(21): 1225-1228 [1227].

  Type species:

   Sclerasterias guernei Perrier, 1891 by monotypy.
• Australiaster Fisher, W.K. 1923. A preliminary synopsis of the Asteriidae, a family of sea-stars. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 9 12(28): 247-258, 596-607 [250, 258].

  Type species:

   Coscinasterias dubia H.L. Clark, 1909 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Mah, C. & Foltz, D. 2011. Molecular Phylogeny of the Forcipulatacea (Asteroidea: Echinodermata): systematics and biogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 162(3): 646-660

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

History of changes

• Coscinasterias dubia Clark, H.L. 1909. Scientific results of the trawling expedition of H.M.C.S. Thetis. Echinodermata. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 4(11): 519-564, pls 47-58 [532, pls 49(3-4), 50(1-2)].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) AM J392 1 specimen, Coogee, NSW; AM J1033–4 2 specimens, Coogee, NSW; AM J1025–7 4 specimens, NSW; AM J1030 1 specimen, NSW; AM G11432 1 specimen, NSW; MCZ, NSW; AM J1024 1 specimen, Botany Bay, NSW; NHRM Type-??, NSW.

Generic Combinations

• Australiaster dubia (H.L. Clark, 1909).
• Sclerasterias dubia (H.L. Clark, 1909).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Off Crowdy Head, NSW to circum-Tas and to south coast of SA. Depth range 27-500 m

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Rowe, F.W.E. & Pawson, D.L. 1977. A catalogue of echinoderm type-specimens in the Australian Museum, Sydney. Records of the Australian Museum 30(14): 337-364

History of changes

History of changes

• Allostichaster Verrill, A.E. 1914. Monograph of the shallow water starfishes of the North Pacific coast from the Arctic Ocean to California. Harriman Alaska Series 14(1): 1-408 pls 1-110 [363].

  Type species:

   Asteracanthion polyplax Müller & Troschel, 1844 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

History of changes

• Allostichaster palmula Benavides-Serrato, M., O'Loughlin, P.M. & Rowley, C. 2007. A new fissiparous micro-asteriid from southern Australia (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Asteriidae). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 64: 71-78.

  Type data:

   Holotype MV F113585 dry specimen, Australia, Victoria, San Remo, N of bridge, bank of main channel.
  Paratype(s) MV F120432 1 dry, Mallacoota; MV F87056 1 dry specimen, Western Port Bay; MV F86026 1 dry specimen, NW Western Port, between Stony Point and Tankerton; MV F86023 1 dry specimen, W Western Port, dredged off Cowes, 2-5 m; MV F132700 1 ethanol specimen, Port Phillip Bay, Popes Eye, 10–12 m, found eating encrusting bryozoan Membranipora on brown alga frond; MV F113566 1 dry specimen, Port Phillip Bay, Popes Eye, 6-10 m.

Distribution

States

Victoria

IMCRA

Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

History of changes

• Asteracanthion polyplax Müller, J. & Troschel, F.H. 1844. Beschreibung neuer Asteriden. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 10(1): 178-185 [178].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMB, 'Vandiemensland' (?Tasmania).

Generic Combinations

• Allostichaster polyplax (Müller & Troschel, 1844).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

South Solitary Is., NSW to Houtman Abrolhos, WA. Depth range 0-238 m, southwest Pacific (New Zealand).

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Zeidler, W. & Shepherd, S.A. 1982. Sea-stars (Class Asteroidea). 400-418 7 figs pl. 30(2) in Shepherd, S.A. & Thomas, I.M. (eds). Marine Invertebrates of Southern Australia. Handbook of the Flora and Fauna of South Australia Adelaide : Government Printer Part 1 491 pp.

History of changes

• Allostichaster regularis Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [400, figs 115a-b].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA K169 (was E437), Gulf St Vincent, SA.
  Paratype(s) SAMA K1383 11 specimens.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Moreton Bay, Qld and NE Tas to Spencer Gulf, SA. Depth range 10-174 m

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Zeidler, W. & Shepherd, S.A. 1982. Sea-stars (Class Asteroidea). 400-418 7 figs pl. 30(2) in Shepherd, S.A. & Thomas, I.M. (eds). Marine Invertebrates of Southern Australia. Handbook of the Flora and Fauna of South Australia Adelaide : Government Printer Part 1 491 pp.

History of changes

• Cosmasterias Sladen, W.P. 1889. Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 30: 1-893 pls 1-117 [562, 576] [proposed with subgeneric rank in Asterias Linnaeus, 1758].

  Type species:

   Asteracanthion sulcifer Valenciennes, 1869 by subsequent designation, see Verrill, A.E. 1914. Monograph of the shallow water starfishes of the North Pacific coast from the Arctic Ocean to California. Harriman Alaska Series 14(1): 1-408 pls 1-110 [358].
• Quadraster Perrier, E. 1896. Contribution à l'étude des Stellérides de l'Atlantique Nord (Golfe de Gascoyne, Açores, Terre-Neuve). Résultats des Campagnes Scientifiques accomplies par le Prince Albert I. Monaco 11: 1-571 pls 1-40 [27].

  Type species:

   Stichaster felipes Sladen, 1889 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Spencer, W.K. & Wright, C.W. 1966. Asterozoans. pp. U4-U107 figs 1-89 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part U. Echinodermata. 3. Asterozoa-Echinozoa. Kansas : Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Vol. 1. [U76]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

New Zealand, Southwest Pacific Ocean

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), West Tasmania Transition (9)

History of changes

• Cosmasterias dyscrita Clark, H.L. 1916. I. Report on the sea-lilies, starfishes, brittle-stars and sea-urchins obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. Endeavour Research 4(1): 1-123 figs 1-11 pls 1-44 [71, pl. 29(1-2)].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM E4704, south of Gabo Is., VIC.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

North of Brunswick Heads, NSW to west coast of Tas; southwest Pacific. Depth range 119-823 m. New Zealand

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

History of changes

• Smilasterias Sladen, W.P. 1889. Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 30: 1-893 pls 1-117 [562, 578] [proposed with subgeneric rank in Asterias Linnaeus, 1758].

  Type species:

   Asterias (Smilasterias) scalprifera Sladen, 1889 by original designation.
• Nanaster Perrier, E. 1894. Echinodermes - Premiére partie. Partie descriptive. I. Stellérides. Expéditions Scientifiques du 'Travailleur' et du 'Talisman' pendent les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883 3: 431 pp., 26 pls. [129, 133].

  Type species:

   Asteracanthion albulus Stimpson, 1853 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Spencer, W.K. & Wright, C.W. 1966. Asterozoans. pp. U4-U107 figs 1-89 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part U. Echinodermata. 3. Asterozoa-Echinozoa. Kansas : Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Vol. 1. [U76]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Macquarie Island Province (24), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

General References

O'Loughlin, P.M. & O'Hara, T.D. 1990. A review of the genus Smilasterias (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), with descriptions of two new species from south-eastern Australia, one a gastric brooder, and a new species from Macquarie Island. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(2): 307-323 3 figs 1 pl. [308] (emended generic diagnosis)

History of changes

• Smilasterias clarkailsa O'Loughlin, P.M. & O'Hara, T.D. 1990. A review of the genus Smilasterias (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), with descriptions of two new species from south-eastern Australia, one a gastric brooder, and a new species from Macquarie Island. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(2): 307-323 3 figs 1 pl.

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV F53754 1 ethanol specimen, Australia, Macquarie Island, off Lusitania Bay, 100-105m [54°43.5'S 158°53.1'E].
  Paratype(s) NMV F53755 1 specimen, Australia, Macquarie Island, off Lusitania Bay, 100-105 m [54°43.5'S 158°53.1'E]; NMV F53753 1 specimen, Macquarie Island, off Nuggets Point, 108-135m [54°33.4'S 158°56.9'E]; BMNH 1965.8.5.220 4 specimens, Macquarie Island, off Lusitania Bay, 69m (BANZARE stn 83) [54°42.5'S 158°54.5'E].

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

From Macquarie Island and around continental slope of southern Tasmania (O'Hara, unpublished data)

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Macquarie Island Province (24)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

History of changes

• Smilasterias irregularis Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [402, figs 116a-b].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA K171 (was E438), Gulf St Vincent or Spencer Gulf, SA.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Shellharbour, NSW to Nuyts Archipelago, SA. Depth range 0-30 m

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

O'Loughlin, P.M. & O'Hara, T.D. 1990. A review of the genus Smilasterias (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), with descriptions of two new species from south-eastern Australia, one a gastric brooder, and a new species from Macquarie Island. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(2): 307-323 3 figs 1 pl.

History of changes

• Smilasterias multipara O'Loughlin, P.M. & O'Hara, T.D. 1990. A review of the genus Smilasterias (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), with descriptions of two new species from south-eastern Australia, one a gastric brooder, and a new species from Macquarie Island. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(2): 307-323 3 figs 1 pl. [311].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV F53036, Flinders, VIC.
  Paratype(s) NMV F53030 3 specimens, Flinders, VIC; NMV F53033 8 specimens, Flinders, VIC; NMV F53037 1 specimen, Flinders, VIC; BMNH 1986.10.1.1-5 5 specimens; AM J20199 5 specimens; NMV F53011 12 specimens, Cape Bridgewater, VIC; SAMA K1760 5 specimens; WAM Z1721 5 specimens (old number: 428-86), Flinders, Vic; NMV F53027 1 brooding, Greens Head, TAS; NMV F53035 3 specimens, 1 brooding, Lulworth, TAS; TMH 1546 2 specimens, brooding.

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Walkerville to Cape Bridgewater, Vic, Bass Strait Islands, West Point to Bruny Is., Tas. Depth range 0-3 m

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1938. Echinoderms from Australia. An account of collections made in 1929 and 1932. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 55: 1-596, figs 1-64, pls 1-28 [195] (identified with reservation as Smilasterias irregularis H.L. Clark, 1928, with the comment that the specimen before him from San Remo (VIC) may represent a second species of Smilasterias)

Phillips, D.A.B., Handreck, C., Bock, P.E., Burn, R., Smith, B.J. & Staples, D.A. (eds) 1984. Coastal Invertebrates of Victoria: an atlas of selected species. Melbourne : Marine Research Group of Victoria & Museum of Victoria 168 pp. (as Smilasterias sp.)

History of changes

• Smilasterias tasmaniae O'Loughlin, P.M. & O'Hara, T.D. 1990. A review of the genus Smilasterias (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), with descriptions of two new species from south-eastern Australia, one a gastric brooder, and a new species from Macquarie Island. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(2): 307-323 3 figs 1 pl. [315].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM J11395 (dry), Lighthouse Bay, Bruny Is., TAS.
  Paratype(s) AM J19659 1 specimen; NMV F54579 1 specimen, Recheche Bay, TAS.

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Lighthouse Bay, Bruny Is., and Catamaran, Recherche Bay. Depth range 0-8 m

IMCRA

Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore, marine, temperate.

History of changes

• Uniophora Gray, J.E. 1840. A synopsis of the genera and species of the Class Hypostoma (Asterias, Linnaeus). Annals and Magazine of Natural History ns 6: 175-184, 275-290 [288].

  Type species:

   Uniophora globifera Gray, 1840 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

History of changes

• Uniophora dyscrita Clark, H.L. 1923. Some echinoderms from West Australia. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology Zool. 35: 229-251 pl. 13 [244].

  Type data:

   Holotype MCZ 2797, Garden Is., near Fremantle, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Lancelin to Esperance WA. Depth range 2-200 m.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Shepherd, S.A. 1967. A revision of the starfish genus Uniophora (Asteroidea: Asteriidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 91: 3-14 figs 1-3 pl. 1

History of changes

• Asterias granifera Lamarck, J.B.P.A. de M. 1816. Stellerides. In Histoire Naturelle des Animaux sans Vertèbres. Paris : Verdière Vol. 2 pp. 522-568. [560].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, MNHP, Australian seas (as 'les mers australes').
• Uniophora globifera Gray, J.E. 1840. A synopsis of the genera and species of the Class Hypostoma (Asterias, Linnaeus). Annals and Magazine of Natural History ns 6: 175-184, 275-290 [288].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1840.3.9.5, TAS (as Van Diemens Land).
• Asterias fungifera Perrier, E. 1875. Révision de la Collection de Stellérides du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris : C. Reinwald et Cie 384 pp. [also published in Arch. Zool.] [337].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP, Australia (as Nouvelle–Hollande).
• Asterias sinusoida Perrier, E. 1875. Révision de la Collection de Stellérides du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris : C. Reinwald et Cie 384 pp. [also published in Arch. Zool.] [338] [as Asterias sinusoïda].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1842.11.11.12, Hobart, TAS.
• Uniophora multispina Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [407, fig. 119a-b].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA K184 (was E441), Henley Beach, near Adelaide, SA.
  Paratype(s) SAMA K185 2 specimens.
• Uniophora obesa Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [409, figs 120a-b].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA K190 (was E442), Rocky Point, Eastern Cove, Kangaroo Is., SA.
  Paratype(s) MCZ.
• Uniophora uniserialis Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [413, figs 122a-b].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA K193 (was E444), Gulf St Vincent, SA.
  Paratype(s) SAMA K385.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Shepherd, S.A. 1967. A revision of the starfish genus Uniophora (Asteroidea: Asteriidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 91: 3-14 figs 1-3 pl. 1 [4]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Northwest Solitary Is., NSW to Ceduna, SA (TOH). Depth range 0-143 m.

IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567 (also as Uniophora fungifera (Perrier, 1875), Uniophora sinusoida (Perrier, 1875), Uniophora obesa H.L. Clark, 1928, Uniophora multispina H.L. Clark, 1928, Uniophora uniserialis H.L. Clark, 1928)

Shepherd, S.A. 1967. A revision of the starfish genus Uniophora (Asteroidea: Asteriidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 91: 3-14 figs 1-3 pl. 1

History of changes

• Asterias nuda Perrier, E. 1875. Révision de la Collection de Stellérides du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris : C. Reinwald et Cie 384 pp. [also published in Arch. Zool.] [335].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1840.11.30.26, Port Lincoln, SA.
  Paratype(s) BMNH 1840.11.30.25.

  Type locality references:

  Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [417].
• Uniophora gymnonota Clark, H.L. 1928. The sea-lilies, sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins of the South Australian Museum. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 3(4): 361-482 figs 108-142 [405, fig. 118] [figure name spelled as Uniophora gymnota].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA K179 (was E440), between Backstairs Passage and the Pages, SA.
  Paratype(s) SAMA K178; SAMA K180; SAMA K1384.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Shepherd, S.A. 1967. A revision of the starfish genus Uniophora (Asteroidea: Asteriidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 91: 3-14 figs 1-3 pl. 1 [6]

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Gulf St Vincent to Spencer Gulf. Depth range 0-60 m.

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567 (as Uniophora gymnonota H.L. Clark, 1928)

Shepherd, S.A. 1967. A revision of the starfish genus Uniophora (Asteroidea: Asteriidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 91: 3-14 figs 1-3 pl. 1

History of changes

Introduction

The family Zoroasteridae is known from tropical Indo-Pacific waters. Three of the seven known genera are recorded in Australian waters, represented by four species.

Zoroasterids are distinguished within the order Forcipulatida by the following combination of character states: arms five; disc small, with enlarged disc plates; arms normally long, subcylindrical, with ossicles in longitudinal and transverse series; alternate carinate and non-carinate adambulacral plates; superambulacral plates present; straight pedicellariae only.

General References

Blake, D.B. 1987. A classification and phylogeny of post-Palaeozoic sea-stars (Asteroidea: Echinodermata). Journal of Natural History 21: 481-528

Downey, M.E. 1970. Zorocallida, new order and Doraster constellatus, new genus and species, with notes on the Zoroasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 64: 1-18 figs 1-11

Fisher, W.K. 1928. Asteroidea of the North Pacific and adjacent waters. Part 2. Forcipulata (part). Bulletin of the United States National Museum 76: 1-245 6 figs pls 1-81

Spencer, W.K. & Wright, C.W. 1966. Asterozoans. pp. U4-U107 figs 1-89 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part U. Echinodermata. 3. Asterozoa-Echinozoa. Kansas : Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Vol. 1.

History of changes

• Pholidaster Sladen, W.P. 1885. Asteroidea. pp. 607-617 in Wyville Thomson, C. & Murray, J. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of the Challenger. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 1(2): 1-1110, 340 figs [616].

  Type species:

   Pholidaster squamatus Sladen, 1889 by subsequent designation, see Fisher, W.K. 1919. Starfishes of the Philippine seas and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 100(3): 1-712 pls 1-156 [484].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

West Pacific Ocean

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

History of changes

• Pholidaster squamatus Sladen, W.P. 1889. Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 30: 1-893 pls 1-117 [427, pl. 47(5-6), 48(5-6)].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1890.5.7.662, off Tablas Is. (12º43´N 122º09´E), Philippines.
• Pholidaster distinctus Sladen, W.P. 1889. Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 30: 1-893 pls 1-117.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Mah, C. 2007. Phylogeny of the Zoroasteridae (Zorocallina;Forcipulatida): evolutionary events in deep-sea Asteroidea displaying Palaeozoic features. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 150: 177-210

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Murchison River to Port Hedland WA; west Pacific (east Indo-west Pacific Ocean). Depth range 28-243 m

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine, tropical.

General References

Marsh, L.M. 1976. Western Australian Asteroidea since H.L. Clark. Thalassia Jugoslavica 12(1): 213-225 figs 1-2

History of changes

• Zoroaster Thomson, W.C. 1873. The Depths of the Sea. London : Macmillan & Co. 527 pp. 84 figs 8 pls. [154].

  Type species:

   Zoroaster fulgens Thomson, 1873 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Timor Province (2), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Southern Province (8)

History of changes

• Zoroaster alternicanthus McKnight, D.G. 2006. Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Echinodermata: Asteroidea (sea-stars). 3. Orders Velatida, Spinulosida, Forcipulatida, Brisingida with addenda to Paxillosida, Valvatida. NIWA Biodiversity Memoir 120: 1-187.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

New specimens from off Nowra, NSW, identified by Chris Mah

IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

History of changes

• Zoroaster carinatus Alcock, A. 1893. An account of the collection of deep-sea Asteroidea. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 11(6): 73-121 pls 4-6 [107].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1893.5.9.2–4 2 specimens, Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal.
• Zoroaster carinatus philippinensis Fisher, W.K. 1916. New East Indian starfishes. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 29: 27-36 [30].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 37010, Sibuko Bay, Borneo, Indonesia (as East Indies).
  Paratype(s) USNM 40569.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Rowe, F.W.E. in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. In, Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995] (based on study of a wide range of Australian material)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Wooli, northern NSW and off Port Hedland to Cape Leveque, WA; east Indo-west Pacific Ocean. Depth range 160-810 m

IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12), Timor Province (2), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope, marine, tropical.

History of changes

• Zoroaster macracantha Clark, H.L. 1916. I. Report on the sea-lilies, starfishes, brittle-stars and sea-urchins obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. Endeavour Research 4(1): 1-123 figs 1-11 pls 1-44 [68, pl. 28(1-2)].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM E3705, south of Eucla, Great Australian Bight, 129º28´E.
  Paratype(s) AM J3068 1 specimen, south of Eucla, Great Australian Bight, 129º28´E; MCZ.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Rowe, F.W.E. in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. In, Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995] (considered congeneric with Bythiolophus acanthinus Fisher, 1916, type species of Bythiolophus Fisher, 1916, following comparison of a wide range of specimens of Zoroaster macracantha Clark, 1916 (including the type specimens) with Fisher's original description)
• Mah, C. 2007. Phylogeny of the Zoroasteridae (Zorocallina;Forcipulatida): evolutionary events in deep-sea Asteroidea displaying Palaeozoic features. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 150: 177-210 [189] (Transfered back to Zoroaster based on morphological characters and phylogeny)

Generic Combinations

• Bythiolophus macracanthus (H.L. Clark, 1916). —
  Rowe, F.W.E in Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Echinodermata. 213 in Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 510 pp. [Date published 30 May 1995]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Off Newcastle, NSW to south off Gabo Is., Vic and the Great Australian Bight, SA. Depth range 450-1006 m

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Southern Province (8)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, marine, temperate.

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567 (as Zoroaster macracantha H.L. Clark, 1916)

History of changes

• Zoroaster spinulosus Fisher, W.K. 1906. The starfishes of the Hawaiian Islands. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 23(3): 989-1130 pls 1-49 [1102, pls 24(3), 41(2), 42(5-6)].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 21187, north coast of Molokai Is., Hawaii.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Off Nambucca Heads, NSW to off Gabo Is., Vic; west Pacific Ocean. Depth range 274-1208 m

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, marine, tropical.

History of changes