Each marginal (edge) plate of both series carries one prominent, robust spine, this spine being surrounded by small spiniform granules. It has five arms and has many small spines over the upper (aboral) surface.

Deepwater.

Likely a predator and?or scavenger.

Sea star larvae shown in picture is of an unknown species

http://www.marinespecies.org/asteroidea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291700 accessed 12/02/14 H. Barraclough Fell (1958), Deep-Sea Echinoderms of New Zealand. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington. http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Vic24Zool-t1-body-d1.html Accessed 12/02/14.