Biology:Astrosarkus
Astrosarkus idipi is a species of sea stars in the family Oreasteridae. It is the sole species in the genus Astrosarkus.[1] It is sometimes referred to as a Pumpkin sea star.[2]
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 30 cm (12 in) in diameter for 10 cm (4 in) 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.[3]
Habitat and repartition
This sea star lives in the sub-reef zone, between 67 and 200 m (220 and 656 ft) 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.[3]
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.[4] There, the species is referred to as ryugu sakura hitode, which means "dragon palace cherry blossom sea star".[4]
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedwad - ↑ "Pumpkin sea star (Astrosarkus sp.) attached to rock wall, 90 meters depth, indian Ocean, Mayotte. Possibly new species Stock Photo - Alamy". https://www.alamy.com/pumpkin-sea-star-astrosarkus-sp-attached-to-rock-wall-90-meters-depth-indian-ocean-mayotte-possibly-new-species-image184078272.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Christopher L. Mah, "Astrosarkus: Discovering The Great Pumpkin Starfish ! First video of this species alive !", on The Echinoblog, 12 october 2009.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kay (6 March 2015). "Creepy or cute? Come face to face with deep sea creatures as gachapon sushi toys". http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/03/06/creepy-or-cute-come-face-to-face-with-deep-sea-creatures-as-gachapon-sushi-toys/.
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