General Description
Body covered in skin, up to 6 thorny arm spines on the sides of each segment. Colour patterns varies, including green, orange or red, and often with mottled pattern. Disc up to 4 cm wide, arms up to 14 cm long.
Biology
These brittle stars are thought to feed on small crustaceans and algae. They are found under sponges on soft sediments as well as in rocky areas.
Distribution
Pacific Ocean. Australian coasts.
Habitat
Under rocks or in crevices on reefs and rocky shores, to depth of 250 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Covered in skin, orange or red mottled pattern, up to 6 arm spines per segment.
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Colours
Brown, Orange, Red, Green
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Habitats
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Diet
Omnivore
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Diet Categories
Organic matter
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
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
Lütken, 1869
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Common Name
Brittle Star
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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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Superfamily
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
australis
