General Description
Small species with minute stumps on the disc, taller near the margin. The arm spines alternate, with taller upper spines (looking like "goal posts") on every second arm segment. Colour usually light to dark mottled brown. Disc up to 4 mm wide, arm up to 1 cm long.
Biology
The feeding behaviour and favoured prey of this brittle star are unknown.
Distribution
Southern Australia.
Habitat
Occurs on red algae, bryozoans or sponges, from intertidal rock pools to the outer continental shelf (1-150 m).
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Disc with minute stumps, arm spines alternate in length.
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Maximum Size
4 mm
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Habitats
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Diet
Not known
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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
Clark, 1966
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Common Name
Brittle Star
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Subclass
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Superorder
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Order
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Suborder
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
alternata
