Heliaster microbrachius

Heliaster microbrachius is a species of Asteroidea (sea stars) in the family Heliasteridae.[1][2][3]

Heliaster microbrachius
Heliaster microbrachius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Echinodermata
Class:
Asteroidea
Order:
Forcipulatida
Family:
Heliasteridae
Genus:
Heliaster
Species:
H. microbrachius
Binomial name
Heliaster microbrachius
Xantus, 1860
Synonyms
  • Heliaster morrisoni A.H. Clark, 1949

Description

Heliaster microbrachius can reach a diameter of 60–125 millimetres (2.4–4.9 in). The body consists of a disc with several rays. At the bottom of the body there is a mouth opening. These sea stars have a very large disc, somewhat elevated, with more or less flattened rays. Abactinal spines are very numerous, small, more or less cylindrical. Color of abactinal surface may be purplish or grayish-black, with deep yellow or whitish spines. The actinal surface is whitish, yellowish, or brownish, with pedicels much darker than spines.[4] These sea stars can regenerate lost or damaged parts of their body.

Distribution

This species is present in the east Pacific, along the west coast of South and Central America and Mexico.[4]

References
  1. WoRMS
  2. Encyclopedia of life
  3. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  4. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College
  • Mah, C. (2010). Heliaster microbrachius Xantus, 1860. In: Mah, C.L. (2010). World Asteroidea database
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