A Newly Recorded Sea Star, Genus Diplopteraster (Asteroidea: Velatida: Pterasteridae), from Korea Strait

Asteroid specimens of the genus Diplopteraster were collected by trawling nets at a depth of 93 m on 05 November 2016 from the Korea Strait ($33^{\circ}41^{\prime}N$, $127^{\circ}26^{\prime}E$). The specimens were identified as Diplopteraster multipes(M. Sars, 1866), which belongs to the family Pterasteridae, order Velatida. This species is similar to other Diplopteraster species in its pentagonal stellate shape, but is distinguished by having each paxilla composed of a protruded spine, more than eight spiracles, and regularly reticulated muscular bands. It is not commonly found in shallow water. This is the first report of the genus Diplopteraster and D. multipes in Korea.