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Family: Ophidiasteridae
Common Comet Star
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Usually on coral reef hard bottom; also reported from sandy beds between reefs. Distribution: Circumtropical Natural History Notes: The species is usually cryptic, living beneath corals and coral rubble, but is occassionally found in the open. Asexual reproduction in this species produces "comets", individuals with one long arm and several shorter arms. "Comets" arise when adults voluntarily detach their arms, and those arms regenerate multi-rayed individuals by forming new arms along the fracture plane. Depth: Usually less than 1-2m; common in some localities Characteristics: Individuals of this species have four to seven arms of unequal lengths, with the longest arm measuring up to 22 cm. The disk is very small, generally one tenth the size of the longest arm. The arms appear cylindrical from above, but the lower surface is flattened and slightly concave along the ambulacral groove. Coloration is highly variable and differs between juveniles and adults. Juveniles are mottled with shades of red, brown, violet, or purple; adults are usually a solid reddish brown, yellowish brown, tan, or violet. |
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