Uniophora granifera
Granular seastar
Similar Species
Same Genus
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Variably coloured species with a smooth upper surface covered by blunt spines or rounded tubercles, which often form a zigzag pattern down the centre of each arm. Arrangement of these spines and tubercles is extremely variable, causing several forms to be originally described as different species.
Information
Max Size: 24 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 10.3-22.2°C
Depth: 0-30 m
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 (23.2% 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: extract from GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney