Asterodiscides belli
Rowe, 1977
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
This starfish resemble the much more common pincushion starfish Culcita spp. It is smaller, 15-20cm in diameter, roughly pentagonal with two large plates on either side of the tip of each of the 5 arms. All specimens found in Oman were dark purple.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
So far, Asterodiscides belli has only been found at two occasions near the coral communities of Bandar Al-Khayran in near Muscat.
The species A. belli seems restricted to the Western Indian Ocean but several other species are found in the Indo-Pacific.
The species A. belli seems restricted to the Western Indian Ocean but several other species are found in the Indo-Pacific.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
Rare, this is also a species better left undisturbed. It was observed only a two occasions, both times below 15 m in depth.