General Description
Arms typically 8, discrete finger-like, frequently of different lengths. Disc small. Variable colour with shades of grey, brown or red, and black, greenish-grey, cream or white markings. Centre to arm tip up to 5 cm.
Biology
This species has fissiparous reproduction where the animal divides in two to create new individuals.
Distribution
Southern Australia.
Habitat
Under-surface of rocks, including the lower intertidal zone, to depth of 238 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Fast Fact
This species' scientific name means "many arms".
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Brief Id
Arms 8, usually different length arms.
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Maximum Size
10 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Marine Invertebrates
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(J. Müller & Troschel, 1844)
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Common Name
Seastar
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Other Names
Seastar
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
polyplax
