Astrosarkus Explained

Astrosarkus idipi is a species of sea stars in the family Oreasteridae. It is the sole species in the genus Astrosarkus. It is sometimes referred to as a Pumpkin sea star.[1]

Description and characteristics

It is a big sea star with a subpentagonal and very plump body. It is quite recognizable because of its bright orange color, and globally displays the color, texture and size of a pumpkin. It is thus a very big star, measuring approximately in diameter for high. The lower face is white dirtied with orange, and crossed by 5 ambulacral grooves. Inside the body, the skeleton is strikingly reduced: the main part of the mass of the star is muscular.[2]

Habitat and repartition

This sea star lives in the sub-reef zone, between deep, and seems rather widely distributed in the Indo-pacific, From Reunion island to Samoa. However, it is still poorly known, and only 6 specimens have been collected to this day.[2]

In popular culture

Along with some other deep-sea creatures, this sea star has been used in Japan as a model for a sushi-shaped gachapon toy. There, the species is referred as ryugu sakura hitode, which means "dragon palace cherry blossom sea star".[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pumpkin sea star (Astrosarkus sp.) attached to rock wall, 90 meters depth, indian Ocean, Mayotte. Possibly new species Stock Photo - Alamy .
  2. Christopher L. Mah, "Astrosarkus: Discovering The Great Pumpkin Starfish ! First video of this species alive !", on The Echinoblog, 12 october 2009.
  3. Web site: Creepy or cute? Come face to face with deep sea creatures as gachapon sushi toys . Kay . 6 March 2015. rocketnews24.com .