General Description
Arms 5 or 6, sometimes of differing lengths, short and wide, not tapering. Edge of arm with paddle-like spines. Disc and upper arms brown, with edges white. Centre to arm tip up to 5 mm.
Biology
This is the smallest known seastar in the world. It has fissiparous reproduction where the animal divides in two to create new individuals.
Distribution
Central and eastern Victoria.
Habitat
Limited information known, on bryozoans and in sediment, to depth of 12 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Arms 5-6, paddle-like spines, tiny, brown with white edges.
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Maximum Size
1 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
Shallow (1-30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
Benavides Serrato & O'Loughlin, 2007
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Common Name
Paddle-spined 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
palmula
