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
-
Animalia:
species: Astropecten polyacanthus
has spines on all superomarginals except the second and sometimes the third. -
Animalia:
species: Archaster typicus
tube feet have a disc at the end and marginal spines are much shorter.
Comments
Two specimens of this species were observed on the same night dive, along with a single specimen of Astropecten polyacanthus.
by Anne Hoggett
