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]

Astrosarkus
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Oreasteridae
Genus: Astrosarkus
Mah, 2003 [1]
Species:
A. idipi
Binomial name
Astrosarkus idipi
Mah, 2003 [1]

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]

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 as ryugu sakura hitode, which means "dragon palace cherry blossom sea star".[4]

References
  1. C.L. Mah (2010). "Asteroidea taxon details for Astrosarkus Mah, 2003". World Asteroidea Database. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  2. "Pumpkin sea star (Astrosarkus sp.) attached to rock wall, 90 meters depth, indian Ocean, Mayotte. Possibly new species Stock Photo - Alamy".
  3. Christopher L. Mah, "Astrosarkus: Discovering The Great Pumpkin Starfish ! First video of this species alive !", on The Echinoblog, 12 october 2009.
  4. Kay (6 March 2015). "Creepy or cute? Come face to face with deep sea creatures as gachapon sushi toys". rocketnews24.com.


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