Phylum Echinodermata > Class Stelleroida > Subclass Asteroidea
Pentaceraster sea star
Pentaceraster mammilatus
Family Oreasteridae
updated Apr 10

Where seen? This large sea star is a new record for Singapore! It was discovered on Cyrene Reef, a submerged reef in the middle of our port.

Features: Diameter with arms to about 15cm.
Hard, heavy body with long tapering arms that are thick and triangular in cross-section. It has a regular pattern of white rounded knobs on the upper surface. The underside is pale and it has pink tube feet.

This sea star was previously known to exist only in the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, so its presence in Singapore waters represents a considerable range increase.


Baby stars: A small one (about 5cm wide) was seen at Cyrene Reef in Apr 10. Does this mean that the sea stars are breeding there?

A small one was seen!
Cyrene Reef, Apr 10
Photo shared by Sean Yap on his blog.

Cyrene Reef, Apr 08


A small one about 9cm in diameter.
Cyrene Reef, May 10

more photos of pentaceraster sea stars on Singapore shores
part 1 | part 2

Links
www.flickr.com
FREE photos of sea stars. Make your own badge here.
links | references | about | email Ria
Spot errors? Have a question? Want to share your sightings? email Ria I'll be glad to hear from you!
wildfactsheets website©ria tan 2008