New species of the brittlestar genus Astrogymnotes H. L. Clark, 1914, fromNew Zealand and Japan (Echinodermata : Ophiuroidea)

Three new species of the commensal ophiuroid genus Astrogymnotes H. L. Clar k are described. Two are from the Kermadec Islands, to the north-east of Ne w Zealand, and one is from the Izu Islands, Japan. The type species from th e eastern Indian Ocean is redescribed and illustrated. The Kermadec species are both five-armed, in contrast to the six- or seven-armed genotype, and both have distinct transversely oriented colour patterns. The Japanese spec ies is more closely related to the type species.