Ron's Critter of the Day

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Goniasteridae

Genus/species: Mediaster aequalis

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: 5-rayed sea star has conspicuous marginal plates. Orange to vermillion red. Aboral surface covered with oval or flat-topped hexagonal plates (ossicles). Oral side lighter. Up to 20 cm ( 7.9 inches) diameter.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Alaska south to southern California. Common in subtidal waters; rarely exposed to the air. Found especially in rocky areas; occasionally on sand and gravel. Depth to 1,784 m (5,800 feet) max.

DIET IN THE WILD: Omnivorous: sponges, bryozoans, tunicates, algae, and detritus. Also known to feed on sea pens.

PREDATOR: Seastar Solaster dawsoni.

REMARKS: Moves more rapidly than most sea stars: up to 40 cm (16 inches) minute.

References

Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/598026/details

Walla Walla University http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Echinodermata/Class%20Asteroidea/Mediaster_aequalis.html

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3051541919/in/set-72157608501343477/

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1lP