Name
Marthasterias
spiny starfish
Framing
Phylum: Echinodermata
Subphylum: Asterozoa
Class: Asteroidea
Genus: Marthasterias
Habitat
Marine, benthic, rocky bottoms
Feeding
Carnivore
Distribution
Mediterranean, Atlantic
Conservation status
Abundant
Additional information
Body disc relatively small. Ambulacral feet arranged in 4 rows. 5 arms. Dorsal plates with large spines on mamelons. Colouring diverse.
Additional information
Bibliography
Pérez-Portela, R., Villamor, A., & Almada, V. (2010). Phylogeography of the sea star Marthasterias glacialis (Asteroidea, Echinodermata): deep genetic divergence between mitochondrial lineages in the north-western mediterranean. Marine Biology, 157(9), 2015-2028.