Schizaster lacunosus (Linnaeus 1758)

FIGURE 24A–C

Comments

This specimen (29 mm X 25 mm X 24 mm; Length X Width X Height) was found on muddy bottom at 37m from eastern Hong Kong and was not commonly encountered. Liao & Clark (1995) noted that this species is very common in East China Sea but not in Guangdong Province where they were found only from the mouth of the Pearl River and in Hong Kong. The length of specimens from Guangdong Province was usually less than 30mm which is consistent with measurements of our specimens, which were 2.9 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.4 cm (L xWx H). Chao (2000) reported tests and other individuals of this species from Taiwan, 5-90 m, describing it as an “inshore deposit feeder.”

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 15 m.

Outside Hong Kong. China, Taiwan, Natal, East Africa to the northern coast of Australia and to Japan. 4– 90 m.