Echinaster callosus

(Marenzeller, 1895)

Vernacular names
English : Warty starfish
French : Etoile de mer calleuse

Classification
Class : Asteroidea
Order : Spinulosida
Family : Echinasteridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach an armspan of 26 cm with very small central disk and fairly thick tubular arms. Arms are fitted with irregular fleshy warts and rings. Coloraton variable, warts often pinkish, rings generally clear to white.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Australia. Lives in coral reefs, rubble and sandy bottoms areas, from 5 to 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species hasn’t been assessed by IUCN but seems to be common in the wild although coral reef destruction might become a threat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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