Hippasteria phrygiana explained

Hippasteria phrygiana is a sea star species, a member of the Goniasteridae family.

Description and characteristics

This species grows up to 20 cm in diameter, with short arms and a large body. The upper surface is red and covered with rounded knob-like spines; the lower surface contains many macroscopic bivalved pedicellariae.

Habitat and geographic range

This species is incredibly widely distributed: it is present in the 3 main oceanic basins.[1]

It lives mostly in cold and deep waters.[1]

Biology

This species feeds mostly on cnidarians, especially deep-sea corals.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Starfish Mystery! 3 Oceans,2 Hemispheres,but ONE species?! . Mah . Christopher L. . 2013-02-12 . The Echinoblog .
  2. Web site: Goniasterid Starfish LOVE to eat Octocorals! . Mah . Christopher L. . 2013-09-16 . The Echinoblog .