noses and descriptions of higher taxa have, there- 

 fore, not been included. The species descriptions 

 have been kept as simple as possible for quick 

 identification. 



The preceding keys are strictly artificial, and 

 their usefulness is, therefore, limited to the 

 Continental Shelf off North Carolina. 



PLATYASTERIDA 



In North Carolina the Order Platyasterida is 

 rei^resented by one genus and four species. Three 

 s^jecies have "southern" affinity and are not 

 abundant. Distribution of Luidia clathrata is far 

 wider than that of other species in this genus 

 (fig. 5). 



36" 



Cape He 



• • / 



Hofteros 



35" 



•• Cope •Lookout 

 •S • • • 



. * : •*' t 



/ 



^0° 



34°N 



=^ Cope Fee 



KM. 



50 



78" 



77"- 



76" 



75"W 



FiGUBE 5.— Distribution and relative abundance of four species of Luidm. Many of the numerous stations at which 



L. clathrata was collected have been omitted. 



SEA-STARS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



137 



