©Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett: The common blue form of Linckia laevigata on the reef crest near Bird Island. Note that the plates are not arranged in distinct rows. The paler areas are groups of papular pores.
Colours
Distinguishing features
This is a conspicuous coral-reef seastar. In all species of Linckia, plates on the upper arm surface do not form distinct rows and pores are arranged in groups. Small specimens (up to at least 60 mm maximum radius) appear not to have the distinctive blue colour and they are cryptic, living within the reef structure or under slabs of rubble. One of the photos shows a specimen from Granite Bluff that is probably a juvenile Linckia laevigata. A brown form of Linckia laevigata has been reported from other parts of the Indo-Pacific (e.g. Coleman, 2007). Although morphologically indistinguishable from the blue form, it is possible that it is a different, undescribed species. Brown specimens that appear to be Linckia laevigata have been found occasionally in water deeper than 8 metres on the outer reefs near Lizard Island - see photos below. These grow to a much larger size (380 mm radius) than the blue form. The only other species of Linckia recorded in the Australian Museum collection from Lizard Island is the much smaller Linckia multifora, which has a mottled colour pattern.
Size
- Up to 30 cm (arm span)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Dalmatian Linckia (species: Linckia multifora)
Smaller, has two madreporites and a brightly mottled colour pattern. -
Animalia:
Green Linckia (species: Linckia guildingi)
Brown, different arrangement of spines and granules near the arm furrows (see that species for further information).
Distribution
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: This is the most common large starfish in the Lizard Island area.
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Marsh and J. Fromont, L.M. (2020). Field Guide to shallow water seastars of Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth.
Other references
- Bakus, G.J. (1981). Chemical defense mechanisms on the Great Barrier Reef, Science, 211: 497-499. LIRS catalog number 41.
- Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.
- View all references