Species composition of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Patagonian Argentinian deep sea, including seven new records: connectivity with sub-Antarctic and Antarctic fauna

Abstract The main target of this paper is to improve the knowledge species composition sea stars in Patagonian Argentine deep reaching depths 2062 m. In addition, these results offer us opportunity analyze possible connections between Argentinian marine fauna and adjacent Antarctic areas that have become a topic interest past few years. This work based on Atlantic Projects’ surveys carried out an atypical especially vulnerable ecosystems (canyons created from craters collapse by gas leaks). These are profusely impacted frequent fishing activities, being one most important international grounds, where 887 records (1878 specimens) 41 asteroids were collected 217 stations ranging 219 m depth. Seven those proposed as new records: ( Diplasterias octoradiata (Studer 1885), Plutonaster bifrons (Wyville Thomson, 1873), Radiaster elegans Perrier, 1881, Anseropoda antarctica Fisher, 1940, Pillsburiaster calvus Mah, 2011, Paralophaster lorioli (Koehler, 1907), Pteraster flabellifer Mortensen 1933). After refining database built literature open-access databases such OBIS AntBIF, deep-water checklist contains 2198 64 including 7 proposed. Most (89.06%) present Antarctic-adjacent waters, after study their occurrences at traditional biogeographic entities, our support hypothesis waters (in case class Asteroidea) should be considered part sub-Antarctic entity.