Echinaster luzonicus (Gray 1840)

FIGURE 36

Comments

The observed individuals display the coloration, soft surface texture, and arm shape of Echinaster luzonicus, but display only five rays, rather than the six, which are typically associated with this species. Liao & Clark (1995) have indicated that individuals with five arms and other characters typical of E. luzonicus have been described from Chinese waters.

Marsh & Fromont (2020) provided a brief summary of this species, which feeds on biofilm and encrusting sponges and occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific from southern Japan and China, south to Palmyra and New Caledonia and east to Indonesia and Australia.

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 10–20 m.

Outside Hong Kong. Southern China, Fujian Province, Macclesfield Bank, Ryukyu Islands, Philippines, Palau, New Caledonia, east to Palmyra Island, Indonesia, northern and western Australia, Maldives, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, 0–60 m.