Zoroaster Sea Stars (Zoroaster sp.)
We have encountered several species of Zoroaster sea stars, a widespread genus of mostly deep-water echinoderms, at both Axial Seamount and Oregon coast sites. These sea stars, sometimes referred to as "rattail stars" (possibly because their long, tapering arms have a resemblance to Grenadier aka rattail fish tails) have five long, skinny arms and very small central discs, giving them a very distinctive appearance. The ones we have observed near OOI infrastructure are frequently pale yellow or white in coloration, sometimes with spiny projections on the aboral surface.
References:
https://echinoblog.blogspot.com/search?q=zoroaster
https://niwa.co.nz/news/critteroftheweek/122
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroasteridae
