General Description
Body bulbous, covered with short thorny spines, arms spines long and serrated. Colour pink with darker red patterning on the disc and arms. Disc up to 1 cm wide, arm up to 5 cm long.
Biology
This species releases eggs and sperm into the water that become larvae with eight arms. These later settle and develop into the adult Five-armed Brittle Star. It is the most common brittle star on the continental shelf in Bass Strait. They often occur on sponges. It is not known exactly what they feed on.
Distribution
Southern Australian coasts.
Habitat
Under rocks, in crevices, on or near sponges, to depth of 180 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Disc covered with spines, long serrated arm spines, red patterning on disc and arms.
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Colours
White, Pink, Yellow, Red
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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
Lyman, 1879
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Common Name
Five-armed Brittle Star
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Other Names
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
caespitosa
