Taxonomy of family Benthopectinidae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico  <span class="so-article-trans-title" dir="auto"> Translated title: Descripción taxonómica de las especies de la familia Benthopectinidae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) de las aguas mexicanas del Golfo de México </span>

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The family Benthopectinidae is composed of deep-sea sea stars distributed in eight genera and approximately 70 valid species. So far, only five species of this family have been reported for the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Objective: To provide an updated local taxonomy of this family. Methods: A total of 566 specimens deposited in the Echinoderm National Collection, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, collected from 1952 to 2015, were taxonomically examined. Results: We present descriptions, photographs, and an illustrated dichotomous key for Benthopecten simplex simplex, Cheiraster (Barbadosaster) echinulatus, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) planus, Cheiraster (Christopheraster) blakei, and Cheiraster (Christopheraster) mirabilis in the region. Conclusions: The five studied species represent 6 % of the world biodiversity of the family and can now be identified with the illustrated key.

Translated abstract

Resumen Introducción: La familia Benthopectinidae está compuesta por estrellas de mar de profundidad distribuidas en ocho géneros y 70 especies válidas aproximadamente. Hasta el momento, se han reportado cinco especies de esta familia para las aguas mexicanas del Golfo de México. Objetivo: Realizar una actualización local de la taxonomía de esta familia. Métodos: Se examinaron un total de 566 especímenes depositados en la Colección Nacional de Equinodermos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y el Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Smithsonian Institution, recolectados de 1952 a 2015. Resultados: Presentamos descripciones, fotografías y una clave dicotómica ilustrada para Benthopecten simplex simplex, Cheiraster (Barbadosaster) echinulatus, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) planus, Cheiraster (Christopheraster) blakei, y Cheiraster (Christopheraster) mirabilis en la región. Conclusiones: Las cinco especies estudiadas representan el 6 % de la diversidad mundial de la familia y ahora pueden ser identificadas con la clave ilustrada proporcionada.

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Is Open Access

Global Diversity and Phylogeny of the Asteroidea (Echinodermata)

Christopher Mah, Daniel Blake (2012)

Members of the Asteroidea (phylum Echinodermata), popularly known as starfish or sea stars, are ecologically important and diverse members of marine ecosystems in all of the world's oceans. We present a comprehensive overview of diversity and phylogeny as they have figured into the evolution of the Asteroidea from Paleozoic to the living fauna. Living post-Paleozoic asteroids, the Neoasteroidea, are morphologically separate from those in the Paleozoic. Early Paleozoic asteroid faunas were diverse and displayed morphology that foreshadowed later living taxa. Preservation presents significant difficulties, but fossil occurrence and current accounts suggests a diverse Paleozoic fauna, which underwent extinction around the Permian-Triassic interval was followed by re-diversification of at least one surviving lineage. Ongoing phylogenetic classification debates include the status of the Paxillosida and the Concentricycloidea. Fossil and molecular evidence has been and continues to be part of the ongoing evolution of asteroid phylogenetic research. The modern lineages of asteroids include the Valvatacea, the Forcipulatacea, the Spinlosida, and the Velatida. We present an overview of diversity in these taxa, as well as brief notes on broader significance, ecology, and functional morphology of each. Although much asteroid taxonomy is stable, many new taxa remain to be discovered with many new species currently awaiting description. The Goniasteridae is currently one of the most diverse families within the Asteroidea. New data from molecular phylogenetics and the advent of global biodiversity databases, such as the World Asteroidea Database (http://www.marinespecies.org/Asteroidea/) present important new springboards for understanding the global biodiversity and evolution of asteroids.