Mediterranean Red Sea Star

Echinaster sepositus

''Echinaster sepositus'' is a species of starfish.
Red Sea Star A medium-sized, bright orange-red starfish with five slender tapering arms and a small disc. The surface of the body is soapy in texture, with regular indentations, from which groups of dark red papullae (gill structures) can be extended. The maximum diameter of Echinaster sepositus reaches 20 cm. Spotted in the waters behind Serra Gelada, between Altea and Benidorm, Alicante (Spain). Echinaster sepositus,Geotagged,Spain,Summer

Appearance

''E. sepositus'' has five relatively slender arms around a small central disc. It can reach a diameter of 20 cm. It is a bright red in colour, and has a soapy surface texture. The surface is dotted with evenly-spaced pits from which the animal can extend its deep red gills .
Mediterranean Red Sea Star – Echinaster sepositus Found in a wreck site in Puerto Del Carmen. Echinaster sepositus,Geotagged,Spain,Spring

Distribution

It is found on the coast of France but not of Britain, on rock, mud or sand and among eel-grass . It is not found below 200 m.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionEchinodermata
ClassAsteroidea
OrderSpinulosida
FamilyEchinasteridae
GenusEchinaster
SpeciesE. sepositus
Photographed in
Spain