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Hix

Starfish (Leiaster spp.)

Starfish (Leiaster spp.)
Hix, 27 Jul 2012
UngulateNerd92 likes this.
    • Hix
      Alofi Wharf Night Dive
      July 2012
    • Chlidonias
      they are starfish arms (you can see the feet on the upper one). Might be a type of Linckia?
    • Hix
      OK then, second starfish I've seen in Niue. Very few and far between.

      On my way home so I'll check my books later today and see what I can find.
    • Hix
      Hmmm, I think more likely a species of Leiaster, as Linckia aren't usually red.

      I've finally changed the title, it was annoying me. 'Starfish arms' sounds like a British Pub.
    • Chlidonias
      I've only ever seen blue Linckia myself but they do appear in red, purple etc (I believe there's some taxonomic debate as to whether these are separate species or just colour variations); Linckia are pretty common in the tropical Pacific so that's what I guessed at.

      Leiaster is more likely though (now that I've googled it :D)
      [Species list here if you want to google through them: The World Asteroidea Database - Leiaster Peters, 1852
    • Hix
      After checking my books, and also that Database, I concluded it was Leiaster, (probably speciosus) although I could'nt find a definite range for the species - everyone just said "Western Pacific".
    • Ebirah766
      ... How is this a starfish?
    • birdsandbats
    • Ebirah766
    • Kakapo
      Actually this is not a starfish... but two starfishes. The red arms of the Leiaster and the quarter of a cushion star (Culcita sp) occupying the upper left corner of the photo) :D
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  • Category:
    Niue - Wildlife
    Uploaded By:
    Hix
    Date:
    27 Jul 2012
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    Comment Count:
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