Summary ²

Reef starfish (Stichaster australis) is a species of starfish found in the South Pacific Ocean around New Zealand. A keystone species, the carnivorous starfish plays an important part in reducing the expansion of mussels.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/16921893@N00/8157118097
2. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stichaster_australis

More Info

• iNaturalist NZ taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NIWA (2014) guide to New Zealand echinoderms
• SeaLifeBase
• World Register of Marine Species

iNaturalist NZ Map