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Trees- ShrubsRed Sea Star ( Echinaster sepositus )
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Echinaster sepositus is similar in shape to Henricia oculata, but bright colour of E. sepostius is very distinctive (1). E. sepostius is a medium-sized, bright orange-red starfish with five slender tapering arms and a small disc. The surface of the body is soapy in texture, with regular indentations, from which groups of dark red papulae (gill structures) can be extended. The maximum diameter of Echinaster sepositus is 20 cm (2).
E. sepositus is commonly found on rocky substrata in both sheltered and moderately exposed conditions. It can also be found on muddy, sandy or mixed substrates and amongst eel grass beds. It is not found at depths below 200 m (1) (2).
Generally Echinoderms have the ability to regenerate new parts asexually. They also have separate sexes with sex organs in each arm. Sexual reproduction involves releasing gametes into the water (external fertilization) (3).
It can be found on the French side of the English Channel (1). The species is common in the Bay of Morlaix and Brittany. In the Mediterranean it is one of the most common starfish (2).
Digestive apparatus of Echinaster can function effectively in collecting nutrients from a variety of resources (4), generally feeding on organic material found in the sediment and rocky substrates. It has been observed feeding on sponges (4).
E. sepositus is not currently listed under any conservation measures.
Description written by Ben Harvey (2009)
(1) Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland (2005) Echinaster sepositus [online] Available:
http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZB1600 [date accessed: 01/06/2009]
(2) Marine Life Information Network (2002) Echinaster sepositus Red starfish [online] Available:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Echinastersepositus.htm [date accessed: 21/11/2008]
(3) Bio Review Animals (1999) Phylum Echinodermata [online] Available:
http://library.thinkquest.org/28751/review/animals/7.html [date accessed: 02/06/2009]
(4) Ferguson. J. C. (1969) Feeding activity in Echinaster and its induction with dissolved nutrients, Biology Bulletin, 136: 374-384
