eastern cape scuba diving
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Scientific name: |
Marthasterias glacialis |
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Common name: |
Spiny starfish |
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Taxonomy |
Phyulm |
Sub Phylum |
Class |
Sub Class |
Order |
Sub Order |
Family |
Sub Family |
Genus |
Species |
Echinodermata |
Asteroza |
Asteroidea |
Asteroidea |
Forcipulatida |
Asteriadina |
Asteriadae |
Not Defined |
Marthasterias |
Marthasterias glacialis |
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Short Description:
This starfish is large and has five very spiny arms. Each arm bears three longitudinal rows of spike-like spines surrounded by large cushions of pedicellariae. Smaller spines may be scattered between these rows. The spines are white and usually purple-tipped and the animal varies in colour from dirty brown to greenish-grey with purple tips to the arms.
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Identification features: |
Large spines forming three main rows along each arm. Spines surrounded by a wreath of pedicellariae. Spines usually white with purple tips. |
Size: |
Up to 350mm or more in diameter. |
Behaviour: |
Common on rocky shores where it can form large aggregations |
Diet: |
Veracious predator particulary of mussels |
Distribution: |
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
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Depth: |
1-20m |
Habitat: |
This species may be found in a very wide range of habitats from sheltered muddy sites to fully exposed rockfaces. Specimens from sheltered sites are usually larger than those from exposed sites.
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Reference: |
Two Oceans (A guide to the marine life of Southern Africa) GM Branch;CL Griffiths;ML Branch;LE Beckley |
Similar Species: |
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Database Statistics
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eastern cape scuba diving