General Description
Arms 5, arm rays merge with disc, pentagonal. Six large plates around the edge between arm tips. Plates on oral surface underneath near the mouth usually bare. Colour varies including uniform orange, or mottled and star-shaped patterns of multiple colours including in brown, pink and purple. The related Tosia neossia may sometimes appear similar but has alternating radiating lines rather than stellate patternation. Centre to arm tip up to 5 cm.
Biology
Biscuit Stars feed on encrusting invertebrates and sponges. This species was recently split into two species. The one that kept this name does not brood embryos under the body like similar species do.
Distribution
Southern Australian coasts.
Habitat
In the open or under rocks in the lower intertidal and sub-tidal zones, to depth of 40 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Arms 5, pentagonal, 6 plates along edge between arm tips, multi-coloured.
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Colours
Brown, White, Green, Red
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Habitats
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Encrusting Invertebrates, Sponge
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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
Gray, 1840
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Common Name
Biscuit Star
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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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Superorder
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
australis