Echinaster sepositus Retzius, 1805

Echinaster sepositus

Description: A medium-sized, bright orange-red starfish with five regular arms and a small disc. The surface of the body is soapy in texture, with regular indentations from which groups of dark red papulae can be extended. The arms taper less than those of Henricia oculata. Up to 20cm. in diameter.

Habitat: A common starfish on rocky substrata in both sheltered and moderately exposed conditions.

Distribution: Only found on the French side of the English Channel. Common in the Bay of Morlaix, Brittany, and south to the Mediterranean, where it is one of the commonest starfish.

Similar Species: Similar in overall shape to Henricia oculata, but the soft, soapy surface and bright orange coloration are very distinctive.

Key Identification Features:

• Bright orange-red coloration.
• Soapy texture to body surface.
• Indentations with groups of papulae on arms.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database