Pentaceraster westermanni

(Lutken, 1871)

Vernacular names
English : Westermann’s knobbed star
French : Etoile à bosses de Westermann

Classification
Class : Asteroidea
Order : Valvatida
Family : Oreasteridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a diameter of nearly 20 cm, usually less. Five thick arms with blunt ends. Uneven row of spines on the top of each arms. Coloration variable but usually dark red with yellow tips to the dorsal spines.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Hong Kong and Philippines to Taiwan, possibly eastern Indonesia and Micronesia. Lives in coral reefs, in sheltered areas on soft substrate, down to 15 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status hasn’t been assessed yet (as with most sea stars) but it appears to be locally common and not targeted by fisheries.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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