The fossil record of the family Benthopectinidae (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), a reappraisal

Fossils assigned to the predominantly deep-sea asteroid family Benthopectinidae Verrill, 1894 are described and their affinities reappraised. Detailed comparative morphology of ambulacrals, adambulacrals marginal ossicles has revealed that only some extinct taxa fall within morphological range modern representatives family. These include Jurapecten hessi Gale, 2011, J. infrajurensis sp. nov. (both Jurassic), dhondtae (Upper Cretaceous) Nearchaster spinosus (Blake, 1973) comb. (Lower Oligocene). A new Late Cretaceous genus, Punkaster gen. (P. spinifera et P. ruegenensis nov.), appears be a highly derived benthopectinid. possible benthopectinid is from Upper Triassic (Carnian) China. Other records distantly related to, but convergent in gross with, benthopectinids. Thus, Plesiastropecten hallovensis Peyer, 1944 here referred Jurassic spinulosidan Plumasteridae 2011 Xandarosaster Blake, 1984 interpreted as Spinulosida Perrier, 1884 incertae sedis. The mid-Cretaceous Alkaidia sumralli Blake & Reid, 1998 reassigned Forcipulatida (Zorocallina). “fossil benthopectinid” Spencer Wright Moore (1966) shown belong goniopectinid genus Chrispaulia 2005, which two species described, C. wrightorum spinosa Finally, we consider Henricia? venturana Durham Roberts, 1948 an indeterminate asteroid.