Red comb star (Astropecten aranciacus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Astropecten aranciacus
- Common name
- Red comb star
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Astropectinidae
- Genus
- Astropecten
- Size
- 20–60 cm
- Depth
- 5–250 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand
- Behaviours
- predator, burrower, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Astropecten aranciacus reaches 60 cm, one of the largest Mediterranean sea stars. Pentagonal orange-to-pink body with edges lined with lateral comb-like spines that give it its name. Lives on sand-mud bottoms between 5 and 250 m. Active predator: moves below the sand surface and hunts bivalves and gastropods it swallows whole. Often seen at night or after the sand is disturbed.
Photo of Red comb star
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red comb star?
- Red comb star (Astropecten aranciacus) reaches 20–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red comb star?
- Red comb star is found between 5–250 m deep.
- Is the Red comb star dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Red comb star?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red comb star?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Astropecten
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 123856)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5186481)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia