Genus Sphaeraster Quenstedt, 1875

Type species. Although Clark & Wright (1962) designated Sphaerites punctatus Quenstedt, 1875 as type species, this is an objective junior synonym of Asterias tabulatus Goldfuss, 1833, which is therefore the type species. Following Hess (1975), the name S. tabulatus has been used for the common Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian species of Sphaeraster .

Diagnosis. Large Sphaerasteridae in which the abactinal surface forms a high dome, composed of numerous (450+) abactinal ossicles which are set in rows with an interradial chevron arrangement and taper towards the ambitus; primary circlet approximately one-third of diameter; larger individuals possess a ring of six to seven spines on the primary abactinal ossicles.

Included species. Sphaeraster tabulatus .