Honeycomb Sea Star - Pentaceraster alveolatus

Up to 25 cm. Robust body raised in center with evenly tapering arms. Spines line margins of arms. Color variable from blue and violet to red, gray and tan. Conical spines can be scattered or in rows.

Occurs in sandy-rocky intertidal regions and on reef platform at depths of 1 to 60 m. In shallow waters with seagrasses and macroalgae. Feeds on carrion. Members of the class Asteroidea exhibit both asexual (regeneration and clonal) and sexual (gonochoric) means of reproduction. Life cycle:.. more