The Zoroasteridae are one of three families of Asteroidea (sea stars) in the order Forcipulatida. It contains seven living genera and one extinct genus.[2]
Genera
The living genera described are:
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Bythiolophus Fisher, 1916 (monotypic)
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B. acanthinus Fisher, 1916
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Cnemidaster Sladen, 1889 (six species)
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Doraster Downey, 1970 (monotypic)
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D. constellatus Downey, 1970
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Myxoderma Fisher, 1905 (five species)
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Pholidaster Sladen, 1889 (monotypic)
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P. squamatus Sladen, 1889
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Sagenaster Mah, 2007 (monotypic)
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S. evermanni (Fisher, 1905)
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Zoroaster Thomson, 1873 (20 species)
The extinct genus known is:
Distribution
Species in this family are widespread, distributed mainly in Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. A few are found in the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans.[3]
References
- Sladen, W.P. (1889). Report on the Asteroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-1876, Zoology 30(51): xlii + 893 pages 118 plates.
- Hansson, H.G. (2001). Echinodermata, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 336–351 (look up in IMIS)
