Six ray star, drab six-armed star • Leptasterias hexactis
Identification
The appearance of this species is highly variable, and it is likely that there are multiple species. Currently L. hexactis is referred to as a species complex. Generally, specimens have six rays (although they may also have five or seven) and are quite small, reaching a maximum diameter of 10 cm. They range in colour from grey, green, pink, purple and orange. One characteristic that seems to be distinctive in this species complex is a distinct central line of white spines along each arm. Small six-rayed stars found on the Central Coast that are not juveniles of other species are likely to be this species.
Habitat & Range
Accounts of the range of the six ray star vary, perhaps due to the uncertainty in identification and taxonomy. The broadest extent suggests that the species is found from Alaska to California, often under rocks or in crevices in the intertidal to depths of 45 m.
Similar Species
Small six-rayed individuals of the ochre star (Pisaster ochraceus) appear very similar to this species. The colourful six-armed star (L. aequalis species complex) has not been reported north of Vancouver Island, BC.
Intriguing Info
Females keep their eggs underneath them until they hatch into tiny six ray stars. To see photos of these juveniles, click here.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/117691-Leptasterias-hexactis
The appearance of this species is highly variable, and it is likely that there are multiple species. Currently L. hexactis is referred to as a species complex. Generally, specimens have six rays (although they may also have five or seven) and are quite small, reaching a maximum diameter of 10 cm. They range in colour from grey, green, pink, purple and orange. One characteristic that seems to be distinctive in this species complex is a distinct central line of white spines along each arm. Small six-rayed stars found on the Central Coast that are not juveniles of other species are likely to be this species.
Habitat & Range
Accounts of the range of the six ray star vary, perhaps due to the uncertainty in identification and taxonomy. The broadest extent suggests that the species is found from Alaska to California, often under rocks or in crevices in the intertidal to depths of 45 m.
Similar Species
Small six-rayed individuals of the ochre star (Pisaster ochraceus) appear very similar to this species. The colourful six-armed star (L. aequalis species complex) has not been reported north of Vancouver Island, BC.
Intriguing Info
Females keep their eggs underneath them until they hatch into tiny six ray stars. To see photos of these juveniles, click here.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/117691-Leptasterias-hexactis
References
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northweest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 136.
Leptasterias hexactis (Stimpson, 1862). Marine Biodiversity of British Columbia. Accessed 02/10/2013.
McFadden, M., Helmstetler, H. and Cowles, D. (2005). Leptasterias hexactis (Stimpson, 1862). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 10/02/2013.
Authors and editors of page
Chanda Brietzke and Brian Starzomski (2013).
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northweest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 136.
Leptasterias hexactis (Stimpson, 1862). Marine Biodiversity of British Columbia. Accessed 02/10/2013.
McFadden, M., Helmstetler, H. and Cowles, D. (2005). Leptasterias hexactis (Stimpson, 1862). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 10/02/2013.
Authors and editors of page
Chanda Brietzke and Brian Starzomski (2013).