Nectria macrobrachia

Large-plated seastar
Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia, Chain of Bays, SA, Photo: Andrew Green
Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia, Albany, WA, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia, Wilsons Promontory, Vic, Photo: Andrew Green
Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia, Rottnest Is, WA, Photo: Andrew Green
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Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia
Nectria macrobrachia

Distribution

Temperate Australasia


Description

Smallest of the Nectria species and can be recognised by the crowded tabulae, with concave upper surfaces, which extend to the ends of the arms. The colour is usually pale orange or pink, with darker arm tips.


Information

Max Size: 12 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 12.5-22.7°C

Depth: 0-180m

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Common (23.5% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Few (2 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: Andrew Green