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Comb Sea Star, Sand sifting starfish

Astropecten polyacanthus

Description:

The upper surface of the comb star is a dark purplish colour, while the underside is orange. On the upper surface paxillae, (Latin, "little stakes") little pillars with flattened summits, are cream, grey or brown, the colours sometimes making a chevron pattern. Along the edges of the five arms there is a fringe of long, sharp marginal spines, usually with brown bases and pale tips. The arms are fairly broad and have a maximum length of 9 centimetres (3.5 in). The tube feet are pointed rather than having suckers, an arrangement that is more suitable for digging. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astropecten...

Habitat:

Shallow sandy areas in tropical and sub-tropical seas. Indo-Pacific.

Notes:

Spotted at a depth of about 4 m during a night dive.

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Eric Noora
Spotted by
Eric Noora

Batangas, Philippines

Spotted on May 12, 2012
Submitted on Sep 18, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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