Meridiastra gunnii (Gray, 1840)

Scientific name: Meridiastra gunnii
  • Author(s)
    Ray Corcoran
  • Updated
    18/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
J24319 Meridiastra gunnii Click to enlarge image
J24319 Meridiastra gunnii Image: Stephen Keeble
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Meridiastra
    Species
    gunnii
  • Size Range
    Width 7mm

Identification:

Flattened hexagonal shape with five to eight (usually six) indistinct short arms (less than width of central disc), with obtusely rounded webbed divisions between each arm. Aboral surface variably mottled with combinations of multipled colours, dark tan to purple, variably mottled with green and brown, also including red, pink, blue and cream.

Distribution:

Inshore temperate areas south from Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, and Lord Howe Is., NSW to Tasmania and west to Kalbarri, WA; southwest Pacific Ocean. Depth range 0-30 m.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Australian Museum registration database records for the Sydney region:

Port Jackson. Depth range not recorded.

Habitat:

Under and on rocks.

Taxonomic information - synonyms and type material:

Asterina gunnii Gray,1840: 289.
Type data: syntypes (probable) BMNH 1840.3.9.10-13 4 specimens.
Type locality: ?Hobart Town, TAS (as Van Diemens Land).

Links for further information:

The World Asteroidea Database

World Register of Marine Species

Additional references:

Clark (1946); Dartnall (1971); Edgar (1997); O’Loughlin & Roy (2004).