Benthopectinidae is a
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
of
sea star
Starfish or sea stars are Star polygon, star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class (biology), class Asteroidea (). Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to brittle star, ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to ...
s containing at least 75
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
in eight genera.
It is the only family in the
monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
order Notomyotida.
These asteroids are deep-sea dwelling and have flexible arms. The inner dorso-lateral surface of the arms contain characteristic longitudinal muscle bands. Eight genera of deep-water species make up the majority of the family benthopectinidae, and many of its members are expected to have a greater range than is currently recognized.
[
Shin. (2015). A New Record of Sea Star Genus Nearchaster (Asteroidea: Notomyotida: Benthopectinidae) from East Sea, Korea. Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity, 31(2), 135–138. https://doi.org/10.5635/ASED.2015.31.2.135
]
Taxonomy
Nine genera are recognized:
[
* '' Acontiaster'' Döderlein, 1921
* '' Benthopecten'' Verrill, 1884
* '' Cheiraster'' Studer, 1883
* '' Gaussaster'' Ludwig, 1910
* '' Myonotus'' Fisher, 1911
* '' Nearchaster'' Fisher, 1911
* '' Pectinaster'' Perrier, 1885
* † '' Plesiastropecten'' Peyer, 1944
* '' Pontaster'' Sladen, 1885
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q2896746, from2=Q2733041
Notomyotida
Echinoderm families