Pterasteridae is a family of sea stars in the order Velatida, consisting of eight genera.
Description and characteristics Pterasterids are primarily deep-water, and have an inflated aboral surface. Like many other members of the ordo Velatida, they have a hole in the middle of the central disc called "osculum", from which they can expel mucus for defending against predators.
Many species brood their young in an internal chamber flushed with seawater.
Fossil pterasterids have been found as early as the upper Campanian of the Cretaceous period.
Genera According to the World Register of Marine Species : Amembranaster Golotsvan, 1998 -- 1 species Benthaster Sladen, 1882 -- 3 species Calyptraster Sladen, 1882 -- 5 species Diplopteraster Verrill, 1880 -- 7 species Euretaster Fisher, 1940 -- 3 species Hymenaster Thomson, 1873 -- 51 species Hymenasterides Fisher, 1911 -- 2 species Pteraster Müller & Troschel, 1842 -- 46 species
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