Large red starfish found under a low-hanging rock at low tide. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2023) - iNaturalist Previously known as Patiria granifera. Arms clearly tapering and flattened on their lower surface, giving them a semi-circular cross section. Colour deep orange to red, with a surface texture resembling small overlapping tiles. Up to 80 mm… Continue reading Red starfish (Callopatiria granifera)
Tag: Starfish
Reticulated starfish (Henricia ornata)
A maroon reticulated starfish found in a rock pool on the shore. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2023) - iNaturalist Arms long, very gradually tapering and cylindrical. Color orange to maroon with an irregularly-honeycombed surface texture. Up to 90 mm across. Thought to feed on sponges by everting the stomach and digesting the sponge tissue in… Continue reading Reticulated starfish (Henricia ornata)
African spiny starfish (Marthasterias africana)
Hunting bluish and orange spiny starfish. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2022) - iNaturalist Body salmon-pink, orange, deep blue or blue-grey. Aboral (dorsal) surface irregular, covered in conspicuous spines, each surrounded by a halo of minute pincer-like organs (called pedicellaria) that are used to keep the body surface clean. Tube-feet in 4 series. Small red eyespot… Continue reading African spiny starfish (Marthasterias africana)
Dwarf cushion star (Parvulastra exigua)
Yellow starfish wrapped around algae. Doringbaai, Northern Cape (2020). Previously known as Patiriella exigua and Asterina exigua. Tiny, flattened, pentagonal starfish, with poorly developed arms. Dorsal surface made up of tile-like plates, each with a cluster of tiny knob-like spines. Gonophores on lower (oral) surface.Uniformly khaki-green of the West Coast, but variegated patterns of orange,… Continue reading Dwarf cushion star (Parvulastra exigua)
