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Astrosarkus

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Astrosarkus
Scientific classification Edit this 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]

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]

Description and characteristics

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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

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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]

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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

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  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b Christopher L. Mah, "Astrosarkus: Discovering The Great Pumpkin Starfish ! First video of this species alive !", on The Echinoblog, 12 october 2009.
  4. ^ a b Kay (6 March 2015). "Creepy or cute? Come face to face with deep sea creatures as gachapon sushi toys". rocketnews24.com.