species: Astropecten pulcherrimus cf. in taxonomy (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Astropecten pulcherrimus cf.


©Anne Hoggett: Astropecten pulcherrimus cf. at night, Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, off Chinaman's Ridge, 16 metres depth.

©Anne Hoggett: Underside of Astropecten pulcherrimus cf. at night, Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, off Chinaman's Ridge, 16 metres depth.

©Anne Hoggett: Arm detail of Astropecten pulcherrimus cf.. Unlike the other photographed specimen, this one has short spines on superomarginal plates in the distal half of the arm. At night, Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, off Chinaman's Ridge, 16 metres depth.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Order Paxillosida
Family Astropectinidae
Genus Astropecten
Species Astropecten pulcherrimus cf.

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

A five-armed starfish capable of quick movement. Tube feet pointed, without a terminal disc. Arms lined with long, distinctively-banded spines arising from the inferomarginal plates. No spines on the proximal superomarginal plates and small spines may or may not develop on distal superomarginals. Possibly nocturnal.

Size

  • Up to 12 cm (Diameter of Lizard Island specimens.)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Comments

Two specimens of this species were observed on the same night dive, along with a single specimen of Astropecten polyacanthus.

by Anne Hoggett

Distribution

Web resources