Coscinasterias muricata, Hobart, TAS, Photo: Graham Edgar
Coscinasterias muricata, Adelaide, SA, Photo: Ian Shaw
Coscinasterias muricata, Bass Strait, TAS, Photo: Graham Edgar
Coscinasterias muricata, Port Stephens, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Mottled appearance, with rows of large spines surrounded by discs along its upper surface. The number of arms is usually 11, but can vary from 7 to 14. While the species can also act as a scavenger, Coscinasterias muricata is such an active predator of molluscs in sheltered marine habitats that it is considered a keystone species; it can alter community structure by preventing the establishment of beds of mussels, scallops, etc. The species was called C. calamaria until recently. That name is now reserved for a close tropical relative, which has slightly differently shaped plates on the arms. If broken off, each arm can regenerate into a complete animal.
Information
Max Size: 50 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 10.3-23.6°C
Depth: 0-150m
Habitat: Rocky Reef, Soft sediment
Rarity
IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Frequent (18% 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 (3 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney
Copyright to the photographs on this site belongs solely to the credited photographers. Any requests for usage can be directed to the photographer through
enquiries@reeflifesurvey.com.