Linckia guildingi
Gray, 1840
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
Linckia guildingi is one of the two large, long armed starfish from Dhofar. It it distinguished from Leiaster leachi by a almost uniform gray or brown coloration. The large specimens easily reach 50-60 cm in diameter.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
Linckia guildingi has only been observed in the Arabian Sea, from Dhofar to Masirah.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
Although not common, it is not considered rare. It is found typically with the more colorful Leiaster leachi, on the slopes, within the coral-seaweed community. It seems to feed on the film of bacteria, algae, and other detritus covering the benthos.
Like other species of Linckia, L. guildingi can reproduce asexually by autotomy of one art, which regenerates the 5 missing arms and the disk. The missing arm also regenerates in the "parent" organism.
Like other species of Linckia, L. guildingi can reproduce asexually by autotomy of one art, which regenerates the 5 missing arms and the disk. The missing arm also regenerates in the "parent" organism.