| Summary: | Based on a phylogenetic analysis of undescribed taxa within the Forcipulatacea, a new family of deep-sea forcipulatacean starfishes, Paulasteriidae?fam.?nov., is described from deep-sea settings. Paulasterias tyleri?gen.?et?sp.?nov. was observed at recently documented hydrothermal vents on the East Scotia Ridge, Southern Ocean. A second species, Paulasterias mcclaini?gen.?et?sp.?nov. was observed in deep-sea settings in the North Pacific, more distant from hydrothermal vents. Both species are multi-armed (with between six and eight arms), with a fleshy body wall, and a poorly developed or absent adoral carina. Here, we include discussions of pedicellariae morphology, feeding biology, and classification.
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