New species and occurrences of deep-sea Asteroidea (Forcipulatacea, Valvatida, Paxillosida) from the Pacific continental margin of Costa Rica

Deep-sea settings in the Eastern Tropical Pacific remain a poorly understood region with many further species awaiting discovery. Herein, four new species from Costa Rica are described from deep-sea habitats. New occurrences with in situ or living observations are made for eight species.

New observations of hippasterine corallivory on deep-sea octocorals are included. A brief summary of Costa Rican species is presented.