Henricia sanguinolenta (O F Müller, 1776)

Description: A stiff rigid starfish with a sandpapery texture to the dorsal surface. This species comes in a variety of colour forms, purple being the most common. It is only distinguished from the next species by the very fine dorsal spinelets which have 3-6 glassy points. Usually about 12cm across.

Habitat: Occurs in a variety of moderately exposed and exposed habitats on rocks and amongst hydroids, sponges, etc.

Distribution: A northern species in the British Isles probably occurring with Henricia oculata on the west coast of Scotland.

Similar Species: It may be impossible to distinguish this species from Henricia oculata except in the laboratory.

Key Identification Features:

• Five tapering stiff arms.
• Sandpaper like texture.
• Dorsal spines with 3-6 sharp glassy points.

Distribution Map from BioMar data for Ireland - Google Earth map:  download this placemark (not got Google Earth installed?)

Distribution Map from NBN: JNCC MNCR Seasearch data - Grid map : Interactive map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.